S/PV.4740 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them the report of the Secretary-General on his mission of good offices in Cyprus (S/2003/398). Members of the Council also have before them document S/2003/418, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Bulgaria, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. It is my understanding that the Security Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. If I hear no objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. There being no objection, it is so decided.

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1475 (2003). I now call on the representative of the Russian Federation, who wishes to make a statement following the voting.

The Russian Federation has consistently favoured the achievement of a just settlement of the problem of Cyprus. We believe that that problem must be resolved through the establishment of a single bicommunal, bizonal federal State that ensures full political equality for both communities inhabiting the island, as provided for by the relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly resolution 1250 (1999). We support the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Adviser on Cyprus within the framework of the good offices mission. The outcome of that mission was the “Annan plan”, whose basic parameters are balanced in nature. As stated in resolution 1475 (2003), just adopted by the Security Council, we call upon the parties to continue the negotiating process to reach a peaceful settlement, using the Annan plan’s basic parameters as a basis for dialogue. Taking into account the well-known concerns of both sides regarding individual elements of the plan, we believe that it will be possible to adjust it, which would help in reaching compromise solutions. On that basis, the Russian Federation supported Security Council resolution 1475 (2003), on Cyprus.

There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.