Turkish UN chief candidate Feridun Sinirlioglu says UN Charter will guide Cyprus work

Feridun Sinirlioglu, Turkey's candidate for UN Secretary-General, said that if elected he would act independently and impartially. The current OSCE Secretary General told an interactive dialogue with candidates at UN headquarters that he would rely on diplomacy and international law to prevent and resolve conflicts.

Sinirlioglu explained his candidacy by saying: “I am here not because I think the UN is flawless, but because I believe it is indispensable.” At the meeting, the Greek Cypriot side asked him about the status of the Republic of Cyprus, the 2023 events in Pile, the closed Varosha and UN Security Council resolutions. Rather than answering each question individually, Sinirlioglu said he would carry out his work within the framework of the UN Charter.

Greece also asked about the maritime jurisdiction memorandum signed between Turkey and Libya. Sinirlioglu said that although Turkey had nominated him, he would not represent Turkey if elected, acting instead as an independent international official. At a press conference he repeated: “I will be an impartial and independent Secretary-General.”