Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on Cyprus

Kieran Prendergast, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and Mr. Tasos Tzionis, envoy of H.E. Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos, concluded today a series of preliminary, informal and non-binding discussions on the Cyprus issue. During these meetings, the Greek Cypriot delegation explained in detail their views on both procedure and substance.

Following these consultations, the Secretary-General has asked Sir Kieran to visit the region to listen to the views of all parties on the future of the Secretary-General's mission of good offices on Cyprus.

Sir Kieran will arrive in Cyprus late on Monday, 30 May 2005. He will meet both H.E. Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos and H.E. Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat, as well as political leaders on both sides. He will stay on the island until the afternoon of Thursday, 2 June 2005, after which he will travel to Athens and Ankara for consultations, before returning to New York on 7 June 2005 to report to the Secretary-General.