Cyprus FM Kombos says the two sides cannot be treated as equal

Cyprus Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos has commented on remarks by Maria Angela Holguin, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, made to the southern press. Speaking to the Republic of Cyprus broadcaster RIK, as reported by Fileleftheros, Kombos said the two sides cannot be made equal. He said diplomatic logic calls for a kind of equal distance, but that this logic does not reflect the real situation on the ground.

According to Alithia, Kombos said the side that contributed to Holguin's appointment, mobilised the European Union and keeps making proposals cannot be equated with the other side. He said Cyprus is ready for talks immediately, on one essential condition: that they take place within the framework set by the UN Security Council.

In a separate report, Maraş Mayor Simos Yoannu said he and his council have sought a meeting with Holguin for a year without receiving a response. He said the return of the closed Maraş district is one of the core issues of the Cyprus problem, without implying a final settlement, and recalled decisions calling for Maraş to be placed under UN auspices before a final solution.