Content_paragraphs:  I would like to express my gratitude to Ms. Spehar for her service as  my Deputy 
  
  Special Adviser on Cyprus. I also extend my thanks to all the men and women serving 
  
  in my good offices mission in Cyprus for their dedication and commitment to 
  
  discharging the responsibilities entrusted to them. I also express my appreciation to  
  
  Ms. Lute for conducting consultations on my behalf.  
  
    
  
  
  
   
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  Annex I 
   
  
    Written update by the Greek Cypriot leader to the good offices 
  
  mission of the Secretary-General, pursuant to and in accordance 
  
  with Security Council resolution 2537 (2020) 
   
  
   
  
  This submission is made in response to the encouragement in UN Security Council 
  
  Resolution 2537, to “the leaders of the two communities to provide written updates 
  
  to the Good Offices Mission of the Secretary General on the actions they have taken 
  
  in support of the relevant parts of this resolution since its adoption, in particular with 
  
  regard to paragraphs 5 and 6 and 8, with a view to reaching a sustainable and 
  
  comprehensive settlement”.  
  
  The present update includes all developments relevant to the effort to resume the 
  
  peace process in the framework of the Good Offices Mission of the UNSG, 
  
  irrespective of their inter-state or inter-communal character. References to 
  
  communities are without prejudice to the Republic of Cyprus as a Member State of 
  
  the United Nations and references to UNFICYP are made without prejudice to the 
  
  Republic of Cyprus as the host country of the Force.  
  
  I. Efforts to resume the peace process  
  
  Notwithstanding the global challenges we have all been facing in 2020, reaching a 
  
  settlement that entails the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus into a bi -zonal, 
  
  bi-communal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant United 
  
  Nations Security Council Resolutions, continues to be an absolute priority for the 
  
  Greek Cypriot side.  
  
  I am fully aware of the repercussions of the prolongation of the de facto division and 
  
  the faits accomplis it entails, which entrench the status quo and undermine prospect 
  
  of reunification. Bearing this in mind, I have strongly and unequivocally supported 
  
  the resumption of the negotiations from where they were left off in Crans Montana as 
  
  soon as possible. 
  
  In spite of the inconclusiveness of the Conference in July 2017, it is only fair to 
  
  acknowledge that in Crans Montana we came closer to a settlement than ever before, 
  
  notably due to the personal engagement of the UN Secretary General and his approach 
  
  to the process, which is encapsulated in the 6-points framework; intended to form the 
  
  basis for comprehensive negotiations of all elements interdependently, with a view to 
  
  a strategic agreement. I believe that this approach remains vitally relevant in our 
  
  continuous efforts to resume negotiations.  
  
  In the face of systematic undermining of these efforts by Turkey, either by 
  
  employment of delaying tactics in regard to the appointment of a Special Envoy by 
  
  the UN Secretary General; or during the consultations for Terms of Reference for the 
  
  resumption of negotiations; or even by the threat of employment of other means, 
  
  including by use of force; our determination to pursue a viable solution, within the 
  
  established UN parameters, would not be deterred and our willingness to immediately 
  
  engage would remain unwavering. To this direction was my proposal in 2018 for a 
  
  decentralized system of powers, within the existing framework, in an attempt to 
  
  address concerns expressed by the Turkish Cypriot side.  
  
  It was thus made possible, again with the personal involvement of the UN Secretary 
  
  General, to confirm in a joint meeting with the leaders of the two communities in 
  
  November 2019 in Berlin, our readiness to support his efforts to resume negotiations, 
  
  based on a common understanding on the three basic elements of the Terms of 
  
  Reference that should frame the process.  
  
  https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2537(2020)
  
  
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  To this end, in several occasions I reiterated our willingness to engage actively and 
  
  swiftly in the exploratory initiative of the UN Secretary General with a view to 
  
  convene an informal five-plus-United Nations meeting the soonest possible. It is our 
  
  firm belief that such a meeting could indeed pave the way for a new Conference on 
  
  Cyprus, resuming negotiations from where they were left off in Crans Montana, with 
  
  all elements discussed interdependently, as a package.  
  
  Yet political developments in the Turkish Cypriot community was used as a pretext 
  
  to avoid engagement. Instead, Turkey would move on with their plans in Varosha, 
  
  along with a hardening of their rhetoric and an escalation of tension on and around 
  
  Cyprus that would poison the atmosphere and create political polarization. 
  
  Eventually, after October 18th, the new Turkish Cypriot leader would fully align with 
  
  Ankara, by supporting their plans in Varosha and advocating a new position for a 
  
  “two-states solution”. 
  
  The crescendo of provocative acts came amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, in defiance 
  
  inter alia, of the call by the UN Secretary General for a global ceasefire to allow 
  
  reallocation of resources to address this new global threat. Turkey would nevertheless 
  
  continue to act in an aggressive manner by turning to military threats, illegal drilling 
  
  activities within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus, and the 
  
  attempted change of status-quo in the fenced area of Famagusta; in contravention to 
  
  Security Council Resolutions.  
  
  And they would not shy from challenging the UN Security Council Resolutions when 
  
  not in line with their own view. In a strikingly direct written statement by the Ministry 
  
  of Foreign Affairs of Turkey (16/11/20) in response to a EU High Representative 
  
  statement on Varosha, they would argue that “UN Security Council Resolutions are 
  
  not above the will of the people”. 
  
  Although these actions have been condemned in various occasions by EU and the 
  
  international community, as not compliant with the notion of good neighbourly 
  
  relations and international law (in particular, the UN Convention on the Law of the 
  
  Sea, concerning maritime zones) and infringing upon the sovereign rights of third 
  
  States, Ankara would not change their tone.  
  
  Indeed, they have made clear their intention to continue in implementing their plans, 
  
  threatening with the use of force, regardless of any reaction. Rather pertinent is the 
  
  fact that Ankara has got its fingerprints on every conflict in the region, in an apparent 
  
  effort to create instability that would provide fertile ground for their revisionist policy 
  
  and their fitting selective approach towards international legal order.  
  
  We do have to be clear as well on this issue: The Peace Process in Cyprus should not 
  
  be allowed to slide away from negotiations within the established UN parameters to 
  
  strong-arm tactics. Therefore, for substantive negotiations to resume with realistic 
  
  prospects for success, it is imperative to create an environment conducive to 
  
  constructive negotiations in good faith; in the same spirit and conditions that 
  
  characterized all previous negotiating rounds.  
  
  We fully support and actively encourage the UN Secretary General’s effort to convene 
  
  without any pre-conditions an informal fine-plus-United Nations meeting that would 
  
  put the process back on track and pave the way to substantive negotiations in a new 
  
  Conference on Cyprus, securing also the right conditions for these to be successful. 
  
  And we have confirmed in our communication with the Secretary-General and his 
  
  Special Envoy our readiness to engage constructively to this end with a sense of 
  
  urgency. I understand that the new Turkish Cypriot leader has expressed readiness as 
  
  well, although Turkey does seem at this point in time to be keener on creating further 
  
  distress rather than sit and talk.  
  
  
  
   
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  Again, fully-fledged negotiations should be conducted on an equal-footing and nor 
  
  under conditions of intimidation and threats, in accordance with international law and 
  
  the relevant UN Security-Council Resolutions. In this respect, it would be impossible 
  
  by anyone to expect that these conditions are fulfilled if any of the sides advocate 
  
  solutions outside the UN established parameters or if Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot 
  
  side proceed with their plans for the full opening of the fenced area of Varosha, either 
  
  under Turkish military control or Turkish Cypriot administration, or continue with the 
  
  violation of our sovereign rights in our Exclusive Economic Zone.  
  
  We are obliged thus, to call upon the UN Secretary General, in the context of his Good 
  
  Offices mission on Cyprus, and the Security Council, as the international body 
  
  entrusted with the primary responsibility for international peace and security, and as 
  
  the guardian of international law and of the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, 
  
  to adopt an assertive stance so as for Turkey to terminate its unlawful activities, 
  
  refrain from any provocative acts and unsolicited interference in every aspect of the 
  
  peace process. Instead, the latter should concentrate its efforts towards reaching a 
  
  comprehensive settlement on the Cyprus Problem.  
  
  As we have repeatedly stated, we are ready to move in this direction with unwavering 
  
  commitment and resolve, fully supporting the idea of an informal 5+1 meeting, 
  
  without any pre-conditions. With the aim to put the process back on track, within an 
  
  environment conducive to honest and in good faith negotiations. We do hope that our 
  
  genuine determination for resuming the negotiating process will be finally matched 
  
  in practice by the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey. 
  
  For us, our path forward is clear: Both the current unacceptable status quo – with the 
  
  ongoing illegal occupation of 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus following 
  
  the Turkish military invasion and the violent displacement of 40% of our people - and 
  
  any ideas that deviate from the established UN parameters, are neither viable nor 
  
  sustainable.  
  
  Our vision and top priority remains none other than to reunify our island on the agreed 
  
  basis of a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation as provided by UN Security Council 
  
  resolutions, in order to establish a truly independent and sovereign state, free from 
  
  foreign dependencies, guarantees, the right of military intervention or the presence of 
  
  foreign troops. 
  
  II. Factors impeding the resumption of the peace process 
  
  For quite a long time now, we have been witnessing an escalation of aggression and 
  
  violations on behalf of Turkey and the Turkish occupation regime in and around 
  
  Cyprus, that jeopardize any attempt to create an environment conducive to a 
  
  meaningful resumption of the peace process.  
  
  Turkey’s illegal activities in the territorial sea, the continental shelf and the EEZ of 
  
  Cyprus have included seismic surveys, as well as drillings at a systematic pace. Using 
  
  interchangeably 3 vessels, accompanied by warships, Turkey has for months been 
  
  illegally operating in the maritime zones of Cyprus. Besides violating international 
  
  law (i.e. UNCLOS), Turkey’s offensive is also aiming at regional stability, as deemed 
  
  fit to its revisionist political agenda. Ankara would not reconsider its course, neither 
  
  at the face of COVID-19 outbreak nor calls by the UN Secretary-General to allow 
  
  ease in conflict areas, so that resources would be reallocated to address the challenges 
  
  posed by the pandemic. 
  
  Furthermore, violations of military status quo observed along the ceasefire line since 
  
  2018 (namely in Strovilia, Ledra Palace, the Spitfire Coffee Shop and Home for 
  
  Cooperation area, Pyla, Ledras street, Wayne’s Keep cemetery, Dhenia and Avlona) 
  
  are ongoing, during the current reporting period, and have been further solidified, 
  
  while new serious violations have been confirmed. Despite its rhetoric, Turkey is 
  
  
  
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  actually investing in the status quo, solidifying and advancing. Indeed, in the buffer 
  
  zone in the area of the city of Nicosia, they have attempted to extent their control over 
  
  the so called “Polygon field”, “Erechthiou street” and Wayne’s Keep cemetery.  
  
  Moreover, the decision of Turkey to open for “use by the public” of the beachfront of 
  
  the fenced area of Varosha constituted an unprecedented provocation and was 
  
  followed by a series of further violations on the ground within the fenced area in 
  
  blatant disregard of UN Security Council Resolutions in particular Resolutions 550 
  
  (1984) and 789 (1992) and of the most recent calls of the UN Security Council as 
  
  contained in the Press Release of 9 October 2019 and the Presidential Statement of 
  
  9 October 2020 by which the SC called on Turkey to reverse its recent course of 
  
  action.   
  
  The most recent “episode” in relation to Varosha was on November 15th. In order to 
  
  personally “celebrate” the anniversary of the illegal declaration of independence of 
  
  the secessionist entity and to ensure that everyone is clear on who really runs the show 
  
  in the occupied part of the island, the Turkish President paid a visit to Cyprus, 
  
  accompanied by a large number of members of his cabinet and his government 
  
  partner, leader of the Nationalist Party in Turkey.  
  
  You have all seen that Mr Erdogan, accompanied by the Turkish Cypriot leader, 
  
  visited the beach front of the fenced area of Varosha, and had a “picnic”, as he had 
  
  pre-announced, while Turkish frigates and F16 planes were surveilling the entire time. 
  
  The Turkish President put on an utterly provocative show, making clear that the 
  
  fenced area of Varosha will open under the “administration” of the illegal entity, with 
  
  the obvious aim of promoting the economic and touristic exploitation of the area.  
  
  Mr. Erdogan could not be more vocal, playing with the feelings of the Greek Cypriot 
  
  refugees who had to face the tragic reality of a completely destroyed, looted t own, 
  
  which used to be the jewel of the Mediterranean and which legally belongs to them. 
  
  Irrespective of what the EU and indeed the Security Council of the UN has stated, he 
  
  repeatedly stated that he intends to open the fenced area of Varosha, in a manner 
  
  contrary to what the relevant Security Council Resolutions prescribe, i.e. the transfer 
  
  of the administration of the area to the UN so as for the lawful owners and legal 
  
  inhabitants to return to their homes, in anticipation of an overall settlement of the 
  
  Cyprus problem.  
  
  In the wider context, he was equally clear that Turkey is aiming at imposing the 
  
  permanent division of Cyprus, through a two-state solution of the problem, in absolute 
  
  contradiction to the agreed basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation tha t is provided 
  
  for in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and a solution in line with the 
  
  principles of the Union and the acquis that the EU is striving at.  
  
  Let me reiterate that for a peace process to have realistic prospects of fruitful 
  
  conclusion, a conducive environment is necessary and that no good-faith negotiations 
  
  can be conducted under conditions of threats, violations and intimidation. To this 
  
  direction, we need the support of the UN and the international community to impress 
  
  upon Turkey the need to refrain from their provocative acts and concentrate its efforts 
  
  to the resumption of the efforts for a settlement in Cyprus.  
  
  From our part, we have taken initiatives and presented proposals in good faith well in 
  
  advance. Let me once again put on record that regarding the natural resources of 
  
  Cyprus, beyond the existing convergences covering all relevant aspects, including the 
  
  continued adherence of Cyprus to the UNCLOS and the allocation of revenues, a 
  
  National Sovereign Fund has been established (based on the Norwegian model), in 
  
  order to manage any future revenues accruing from hydrocarbon exploration. This, 
  
  inter alia, ensures that any use of the revenues either for the repaying of public debt 
  
  https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/550(1984)
  https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/550(1984)
  https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/789(1992)
  
  
   
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  or their utilization by the Government as a guarantee for securing loans is strictly 
  
  prohibited.  
  
  I have also conveyed the readiness of the government of the Republic of Cyprus to 
  
  examine establishing an escrow account for hydrocarbons revenues to benefit Turkish 
  
  Cypriots based on their population ratio; provided a meaningful peace process is 
  
  resumed and that a delimitation agreement is concluded between Cyprus and Turkey 
  
  as already proposed by the Republic of Cyprus and welcomed by the EU.  
  
  Regarding Varosha, my proposal to establish a Technical Committee on the 
  
  Reconstruction and Resettlement of the fenced area of Varosha still stands. According 
  
  to this, international and Cypriot experts, both Greek and Turkish Cypriot, would be 
  
  allowed into the area in order to conduct technical studies related to its res toration, 
  
  with UN facilitation and EU funding, while the area becomes demilitarized. This 
  
  proposal would enable the return of Varosha under UN auspices, to its lawful 
  
  inhabitants, in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the High-Level 
  
  Agreements, as a matter of priority and without awaiting the comprehensive 
  
  settlement of the Cyprus problem. At the same time, considering the political, legal 
  
  and symbolic importance of Varosha, it could serve as a tangible Confidence Building 
  
  Measure. 
  
  III. Crossing-points 
  
  Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 outbreak posed a grave and unprecedented challenge for 
  
  the whole world. In our effort to respond, extraordinary yet necessary measures to 
  
  protect public health and safety were adopted around the globe; and Cyprus could 
  
  have been no exception. 
  
  In this context, the government of the Republic of Cyprus on 28 February 2020 
  
  adopted precautionary and temporary measures, in line with relevant information and 
  
  guidance from the World Health Organization and reports by the European Centre for 
  
  Disease Prevention and Control, including, inter alia, the temporary suspension of 
  
  the functioning of four crossing points along the ceasefire line, in order to exercise 
  
  more effective health-related procedures at the five remaining in operation.  
  
  These measures were considered as the best possible balance between protection of 
  
  public health and maintaining of crossings, most importantly for urgent cases of 
  
  humanitarian nature. The response of the occupation regime was to close all crossing 
  
  points, restricting movement for all, including UNFICYP personnel and ambulances 
  
  in cases of emergency. Even under such circumstances, the government of the 
  
  Republic of Cyprus ensured that medical protection equipment and necessary 
  
  medicines be provided to the Turkish Cypriot community.  
  
  Following a communication between the leaders of the two communities on May 21st 
  
  and the announcement of the gradual lifting of restrictions at crossing points, starting 
  
  on June 8th for certain categories (i.e. workers, students and patients with serious 
  
  condition) and depending on the evolving epidemiological situation, the Technical 
  
  Committee on Health was invited to provide the platform for exchange of relevant 
  
  information and views.  
  
  On June 8th restrictions from our side were lifted in all crossing-points for the afore-
  
  mentioned categories (although patients had never been denied access), with the 
  
  exception of Ledra’s Street, where existing infrastructure is deemed inadequate, 
  
  taking into account its position at the center of Nicosia and the fact that i t is still 
  
  possible to cross through Ledra Palace, a few hundred meters to the west.  
  
  Regrettably, lifting of restrictions from the other side was left for later stage. 
  
  Eventually, partial lifting took place on June 22nd, followed by a series of further 
  
  changes of mind, as to the requirements for crossing, and differentiations among the 
  
  
  
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  crossing points (notably, the two crossing points in Deryneia and Lefka remained 
  
  closed for weeks without any explanation). Even worse, in a display of absolute denial 
  
  of the humanitarian dimension of the May 21st understanding, Limnitis crossing -
  
  point remained systematically targeted.  
  
  Nevertheless, our efforts under the circumstances could not but aim at the protection 
  
  of public health, making sure that the use of crossing points would prioritize the cases 
  
  of humanitarian nature, while facilitating people’s unhindered crossing, at the extent 
  
  possible. To this end, we will act responsibly and bearing in mind the delicate balance 
  
  that need to be achieved. 
  
  IV. Effective mechanism for direct military contacts 
  
  The necessity for the establishment of a mechanism for direct military contacts, 
  
  between the opposing forces in Cyprus, facilitated by UNFICYP, was alarmingly 
  
  illustrated by the increasing and worrisome violations of the mili tary status quo, by 
  
  the Turkish occupation forces, since the beginning of 2019. Indeed, escalation of 
  
  tension and violations have since taking place in the whole stretch of the buffer zone 
  
  and beyond, culminating in further advances and ultimately, at the “opening” of the 
  
  fenced area of Varosha.  
  
  Furthermore, the Turkish occupation forces have further interfered with UNFICYP 
  
  tasks, with further obstructions adversely affecting its ability to implement its 
  
  mandate; latest been the restrictions in access to the fenced area of Varosha. 
  
  In a broader context, as I have already stressed before, it is imperative to also bear in 
  
  mind the continuous provocative illegal activities of Turkey, in the maritime zones of 
  
  Cyprus, as explained in previous paragraphs, which only highlight the overall 
  
  destabilizing role of Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean region, serving its 
  
  revisionist agenda. 
  
  Against this backdrop, and following the call of the UN Security Council in its 
  
  Resolution 2483 (July 2019), the government of the Republic of Cyprus has presented 
  
  a proposal to the UN Secretary General in a letter of the Minister of Foreign Affairs 
  
  dated 20 December 2019. In the letter we express readiness to discuss the 
  
  establishment of a mechanism for direct contacts at military level between the 
  
  opposing forces, i.e. the National Guard and the Turkish occupation forces, 
  
  comprising their Commanders, as well as the Force Commander of UNFICYP as 
  
  facilitator, in accordance with the mandate of UNFICYP as prescribed by the UN 
  
  Security Council resolution 186, of 4 March 1964.  
  
  In view of the above, I wish to assure that we stand ready to engage with UNFICYP 
  
  to this end, at the earliest opportunity, as I have also confirmed in my letter to the UN 
  
  Secretary General, dated 5 June 2020. In the meantime, we expect the firm and 
  
  decisive stance on behalf of UNFICYP that would effectively deter further 
  
  provocations by the Turkish occupation army.  
  
  V. Technical Committees  
  
  In spite of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in all aspects of social 
  
  activity, the Technical Committees tried to maintain the positive trend of increased 
  
  engagement they had recorded in the previous reporting period. To this end, we have 
  
  encouraged them to use all tools available in order to continue their work, bearing  in 
  
  mind their supplementary role to the substantial negotiations in the context of peace 
  
  process and their valuable contribution in creating a much needed political 
  
  environment conducive to constructive and in good faith negotiations.  
  
  The Technical Committees did their best to carry on their work and contribute in the 
  
  framework of their mandate to mitigate the adverse effects of the status quo and the 
  
  de facto division of Cyprus in the daily lives of all Cypriots, amplified by the 
  
  
  
   
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  challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. To this direction, their work was 
  
  streamlined through the Technical Committee on Health on a daily basis, which has 
  
  been dealing with all related issues, in an effort for coherency and effectiveness.  
  
  Indeed, following a joint meeting with the leaders in early February, the Technical 
  
  Committee on Health maintained throughout the given period daily contacts in order 
  
  to exchange information between the two communities and provide assistance 
  
  whenever necessary. In this context, the Committee provided the space for experts to 
  
  exchange important scientific information and exchange views on the handling of the 
  
  pandemic, sharing best practices and lessons learned.  
  
  While also coordinating with other Technical Committees, to maintain coherence and 
  
  consistency, their response to daily requests and challenges has been commendable, 
  
  facilitating the supply of medicines and material support whenever needed and 
  
  making sure that the treatment of patients undergoing treatment for life -threatening 
  
  illness or medical conditions who could not otherwise receive the necessary 
  
  healthcare would continue.  
  
  Not surprisingly perhaps, the Committee confirmed under such difficult 
  
  circumstances their commitment by frequently following-up at the progress recorded 
  
  concerning the project on the identification and distribution of mosquito vectors  to 
  
  address the risk for disease transmission, through public awareness and exchange of 
  
  views and information on necessary measures to protect public health.  
  
  Not unrelated to public health, Environment is equally important. The respective 
  
  Technical Committee got on during the given period with the development of their 
  
  online platform, with the aim to bring closer experts on the field from both 
  
  communities in order to exchange experience and information, while at the same time 
  
  identify necessary key environmental projects for future implementation.  
  
  The Technical Committee on Education has been working on its own project 
  
  concerning the production of supplementary education material (30 lesson plans), 
  
  prepared having students of primary and secondary education in mind. The plans 
  
  evolve around “the right of children to participate”, discussed via various thematic 
  
  areas that are retrieved but not restricted to peacebuilding, intercultural dialogue, 
  
  human rights and anti-racist education. Under the auspices of the Technical 
  
  Committee, the “Imagine” project is been implemented for a 4th consecutive year, 
  
  adapted to the new circumstances of the pandemic.  
  
  In collaboration and synergy with the Technical Committee on Crime and Criminal 
  
  Matters, they have also been implementing the Prevalence, Correlates and prevention 
  
  of conventional bullying in schools and cyberbullying  project, consisted of research 
  
  to collect systematic data on stereotypes, prejudice and other factors of bullying, 
  
  identify both risk and protective factors and use of this information in teachers ’ 
  
  training.  
  
  Under the auspices of the Technical Committee on Crime and Criminal Matters, the 
  
  Joint Contacts Room has been working day by day, without interruption, facilitating 
  
  exchange of information regarding crimes, based on the principle that no crime should 
  
  remain unpunished, whenever that may happen.  
  
  Other Technical Committees have been trying to cope with the COVID-19 challenges, 
  
  like the Technical Committee on Culture, which organized a Coronavirus inspired 
  
  poetry recital from home, with the objective to bring people and artists closer together, 
  
  in difficult times, by sharing thoughts and experiences of the restrictions and self -
  
  isolation due to the pandemic. On another front, Technical Committee on 
  
  Telecommunications maintained their communication with the objective of solving 
  
  telecommunications issues in real-time, to the extent possible. At the same time, 
  
  
  
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  Technical Committee on Entrepreneurship continued their efforts to facilitate 
  
  “contactless transactions”, when only option.  
  
  Despite the difficult circumstances, the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage 
  
  maintained their impressive work and future planning and managed to push thr ough 
  
  more than 60 new projects, out of which 18 have already been concluded and 
  
  delivered in 2020. It is also recalled that in the context of empowering the work of 
  
  the Technical Committees, the Republic of Cyprus has donated 500 hundred thousand 
  
  euros to the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in order to support renovation 
  
  and restoration works across the island, while further 500 hundred thousand euros 
  
  will be donated this coming year.  
  
  It is true that at present the priority remains to establish conditions that would allow 
  
  gradual return to a COVID-19 status quo ante. To this direction, we will continue to 
  
  encourage and support the Technical Committees to enable them provide significant 
  
  and substantial contribution to the efforts within the framework of the peace process.  
  
  Unfortunately though, worrisome developments after October 18th have not remained 
  
  unnoticed. Resignations from the Turkish Cypriot side left a few of the Technical 
  
  Committees in limbo, while certain decisions taken created tension a t the Technical 
  
  Committees level. Recent examples were the use of sites restored by the Technical 
  
  Committee on Cultural Heritage for unrelated purposes and problems at certain 
  
  crossing points, with Limnitis again in focus. It is our firm belief that Techni cal 
  
  Committees should be allowed to continue their positive trend, and not be used in a 
  
  way that would jeopardize all that has been achieved so far.   
  
    
  
  
  
   
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  Annex II 
   
  
    Actions taken by the Turkish Cypriot side in support of the 
  
  relevant parts of Security Council resolution 2537 (2020) adopted 
  
  on 28 July 2020 with a view to reaching a sustainable and 
  
  comprehensive settlement 
   
  
   
  
  I. Actions Taken in Support of Reaching a Sustainable and Comprehensive 
  
  Settlement: 
  
  Mr. Ersin Tatar was elected President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 
  
  the presidential elections that were held on 18 October 2020. He had run on a platform 
  
  of a settlement of the Cyprus question on the basis of the sovereign equality of the 
  
  two peoples of the island and the establishment of a cooperative relationship between 
  
  the two sides that would be based on two sovereign States. He was given a clear 
  
  mandate as a result of the democratically-held elections by the Turkish Cypriot people 
  
  to pursue such a solution, which would be just, realistic and sustainable, throug h 
  
  negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side, with the facilitation of the United Nations.  
  
  Based on lessons drawn from the previous processes, the Turkish Cypriot side is 
  
  aiming at turning a new page in the history of the negotiating process in Cyprus that 
  
  will not repeat the failures of the past. It should be recalled that throughout this 
  
  process, the Turkish Cypriot side had shown all the good will and constructive 
  
  approach, demonstrated, among others, by its acceptance of the UN Plan for the 
  
  Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem in April 2004, and, in the last 
  
  instance, the flexibility it displayed at the Five+UN Conference held in Crans -
  
  Montana, Switzerland, in June-July 2017.  
  
  The Turkish Cypriot side’s new approach is in line with the repeated suggestions in 
  
  the relevant reports of the former Secretary-General, H.E. Ban Ki-moon, to “think 
  
  outside the box”; and the suggestion in the report of the current Secretary-General, 
  
  H.E. Antonio Guterres, dated 28 September 2017 (S/2017/814), which, among other 
  
  things, “…encouraged the parties to reflect on the way forward”.   
  
  At the informal meeting President Ersin Tatar had with Greek Cypriot leader 
  
  Mr. Nicos Anastasiades on 3 November 2020 at the residence of Ms. Elizabeth 
  
  Spehar, the Deputy Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Cyprus, Mr. Tatar 
  
  outlined the Turkish Cypriot side’s new policy, asking Mr. Anastasiades to approach 
  
  it with an open mind. Referring to the isolation and restrictions imposed on the 
  
  Turkish Cypriot people by the Greek Cypriot side, he asked for the removal of these 
  
  anachronistic measures so as to avoid further deterioration of the trust and confidence 
  
  between the two peoples, essential for the preparation of the ground for m eaningful 
  
  negotiations.  
  
  On the 9th of November 2020, the Special Representative of President Tatar, 
  
  Mr. M. Ergün Olgun, had a phone