The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) Colin Stewart said that there is a growing consensus around the appointment of a UN envoy for Cyprus.

“The status quo in Cyprus is not static, and as long as the Cyprus problem remains unresolved, tensions will persist,” he said, adding that promoting trade would enhance integration between the island’s communities.

The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus Colin Stewart has expressed optimism regarding the recent developments on the Cyprus problem.

Speaking at the Economist’s 19th Annual Cyprus Summit on Wednesday, he said he sees the common ground achieved on the Pile village issue as “a hopeful sign that other challenging matters can be approached with the same constructive attitude concerning Cyprus”.

In his speech during the summit, Stewart noted a growing consensus around the appointment of a UN envoy for Cyprus, adding that promoting trade would enhance integration between the island’s communities.

“This is a hopeful sign because many of the challenges and tensions that we, the UN face on a daily basis inside or outside the buffer zone are merely symptoms of the broader issue and cannot be truly resolved until the Cyprus problem is politically addressed” said Stewart.

Responding to a comment about the increasing difficulty of resolving the Cyprus problem over time, Stewart acknowledged that it is indeed becoming more challenging.

“To solve the Cyprus issue, we must prepare the ground, and I cannot think of a more effective way to do this than by breaking down the economic barriers between the two sides of the island and integrating the two economies.

He said “The twelve technical committees established by the leaders to improve the living conditions of all Cypriots have provided a path for positive steps and daily achievements, from cooperation in health to the protection of cultural heritage, managing cooperation on criminal matters to promoting gender equality”.

“With the financial support of the European Union, the work done by these committees lays the groundwork for future talks,” Stewart said.