9539TH MEETING (AM)

SC/15574

30 JANUARY 2024

Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2723 (2024), Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus for One Year

The Security Council — acting unanimously today — decided to renew for another year the long-standing United Nations peacekeeping presence in Cyprus, while stressing the need to avoid any unilateral actions that could raise tensions on the island and undermine the prospects for a peaceful settlement.

Adopting resolution 2723 (2024) (to be issued as document S/RES/2723 (2024)) with all 15 members voting in favour, the Council expressed its full support for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) — which was first deployed in 1964 — and decided to extend its mandate until 31 January 2025.

It welcomed the appointment of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy — María Angela Holguín Cuéllar, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia — to assume a good offices role on his behalf, encouraging the sides to engage constructively with the Envoy in the search for common ground with the goal of returning to formal negotiations for a lasting settlement in Cyprus.  The country has been without an Envoy since the resignation of Ms. Holguín Cuéllar’s predecessor in September 2021.

Recalling its press statement (Press Release SC/15391) of 21 August 2023 which condemns the assaults against UN peacekeepers and damage to UN vehicles by Turkish Cypriot personnel near Pyla/Pile on 18 August 2023, the Council welcomed the Special Representative of the Secretary-General’s engagement with all parties to reach an understanding regarding arrangements for the Pyla/Pile plateau and urged all parties concerned to work constructively with UNFICYP to implement it.

Stressing that the status quo is unsustainable, the Council strongly urged the sides to respect UNFICYP’s mandated authority in and delineation of the Buffer Zone, respect its integrity and inviolability, remove all unauthorized constructions and prevent unauthorized military or civilian activities within and along the ceasefire lines.

Also by the text, the Council expressed concern at the deteriorating situation in Pyla, urging both sides to continue to work with UNFICYP to establish effective measures to tackle criminal activities.

Relatedly, the Council expressed deep regret about the continuation of unilateral actions that run contrary to its previous resolutions on Varosha — the southern quarter of the Famagusta — as well as the continuing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, underlining that disputes should be resolved peacefully.

Additionally, the Council requested the Secretary-General to submit two reports, by 4 July 2024 and 3 January 2025 respectively, on his good offices, in particular on progress towards reaching a consensus starting point for meaningful results-oriented negotiations leading to a settlement.

https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15574.doc.htm

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SC/15391

21 AUGUST 2023

Security Council Press Statement on Cyprus

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Linda Thomas-Greenfield (United States):

The members of the Security Council expressed serious concern at the launch of unauthorized construction work by the Turkish Cypriot side inside the United Nations buffer zone near Pyla/Pile.  The members of the Security Council stressed that this action runs contrary to Security Council resolutions and constitutes a violation of the status quo in the United Nations buffer zone.

The members of the Security Council condemned the assaults against UN peacekeepers and damage to UN vehicles by Turkish Cypriot personnel, and wished a speedy and full recovery to the peacekeepers who were injured.  They underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute crimes under international law and reaffirmed their full commitment to the safety and security of all UN personnel.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the halt in unauthorized construction by the Turkish Cypriot side and the removal of equipment and personnel.  The members of the Security Council underscored the need to avoid any further unilateral or escalatory actions by either party that could raise tensions on the island and harm prospects for a settlement.  The members of the Security Council called on all parties to show flexibility and to support the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to negotiate mutually agreed development in the area concerned.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their full support for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and its mandated authority in and delineation of the buffer zone, and called for the removal of all unauthorized constructions and the prevention of unauthorized military or civilian activities within and along the ceasefire lines.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their commitment to an enduring, comprehensive and just settlement in accordance with the wishes of the Cypriot people, and based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in relevant Security Council resolutions.  They encouraged both sides to take tangible steps in support of the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and to fully engage with UNFICYP to promote a conducive climate.

The members of the Security Council also reiterated their call for the sides to reach an agreement regarding the proposal of the Secretary-General to appoint a United Nations envoy, who could provide critical support in the search for common ground with the goal of returning to formal negotiations for a lasting settlement in Cyprus.

The members of the Security Council agreed to remain seized of the matter.

CYPRUS

https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15391.doc.htm

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Guterres condemns assault against UN peacekeepers in Cyprus

UNFICYP

 

Slovak peacekeepers on patrol inside the UN buffer zone in Cyprus.

19 August 2023

Peace and Security

The UN chief has condemned an assault on Friday by Turkish Cypriot security forces against ‘blue helmets’ serving with the peacekeeping force on the divided Mediterranean island.

Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement issued on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres that several members of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) had been injured while UN vehicles had also been damaged inside the buffer zone that divides the Turkish Cypriot north and Greek Cypriot south.

Security Council mandate

Mr. Dujarric said the peacekeepers had been preventing unauthorized construction work in the Pyla/Pile area, “in accordance with their mandate” provided by the UN Security Council.

According to news reports, Turkish Cypriot bulldozers moved in to clear UN vehicles, bollards and barbed wires placed in the buffer zone, and three UNFICYP personnel required hospital treatment following the assault, including one who had been kicked to the ground.

UNFICYP also condemned the attack saying in a statement that threats to the safety of UN peacekeepers and damage to UN property were “unacceptable and constitute a serious crime under international law, which will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

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The Secretary-General urged the Turkish Cypriot side “to respect the authority of UNFICYP as mandated by the Security Council and to withdraw all personnel and machinery from the UN buffer zone immediately.

‘Constructively re-engage’

He also called on the Turkish Cypriot side “to constructively re-engage with UNFICYP to find a mutually agreeable way forward in the Pyla/Pile area.”

The tensions result from a plan by Turkish Cypriot authorities to build a new road which includes an area under UN control, according to news reports.

Since a de facto ceasefire between the two sides on the island in August 1974, UNFICYP has supervised ceasefire lines provide humanitarian assistance and maintained the buffer zone between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot forces.

The Secretary-General also reiterated his “long-standing call on the parties to refrain from taking any unilateral actions that may raise tensions and compromise finding a mutually acceptable way forward.”

https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2023/08/1139912

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SC/15352

12 JULY 2023

Security Council Press Statement on Cyprus

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Barbara Woodward (United Kingdom):

The members of the Security Council expressed their full support for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and stressed the importance of full respect for its mandate and implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the continuing personal engagement of the Secretary-General and that of his team, and reiterated support for his proposal for a United Nations envoy to lead further engagement as soon as possible.

The members of the Security Council encouraged renewed engagement on the island following recent elections and urged both sides to seize this window of opportunity, including by taking tangible steps and implementing other gestures of goodwill to promote a conducive climate.

The members of the Security Council reiterated the importance of the sides and all involved parties showing openness, flexibility and compromise, with the goal of returning to formal negotiations to achieve a comprehensive and just settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality as set out in relevant Security Council resolutions.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their commitment to an enduring, comprehensive and just settlement, and stressed the need to avoid unilateral actions, including actions that violate the military status quo along the ceasefire lines or encroachment into the Buffer Zone, and noted that such actions could raise tensions on the island and undermine the prospects for a peaceful settlement.

PEACEKEEPING

 

CYPRUS

https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15352.doc.htm

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