UNSG welcomes leaders’ committments for crossing points, recommends extension of UNFICYP’s mandate
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomes “the commitments made by the two Cypriot leaders on 15 October to explore the possibility of opening new crossing points” and says that “considering the continued contribution of UNFICYP to peace and stability” he recommends the extension of the mandate of UNFICYP for 12 months.
The UNSG’s report on the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) was released on the 13th of January 2025, as an official document of the Security Council.
In his report on the United Nations operation in Cyprus, the UNSG says that “considering the continued contribution of UNFICYP to peace and stability and to the creation of conditions conducive to a political settlement, I recommend that the Security Council extend the mandate of the mission for 12 months, until 31 January 2026”.
The report covers developments from 13 June to 11 December 2024. It brings up to date the record of activities carried out by UNFICYP pursuant to Security Council resolution 186 (1964) and subsequent Council resolutions, most recently resolution 2723 (2024), since the issuance of the reports of the Secretary-General dated 5 July 2024 on UNFICYP (S/2024/527) and on his mission of good offices in Cyprus (S/2024/526).
The UNSG says that “following the informal dinner hosted by the Secretary-General in New York on 15 October 2024 with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, Nikos Christodoulides and Ersin Tatar, the two sides began to engage in Cyprus under the auspices the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Deputy Special Adviser to explore the possibility of opening new crossing points”.
“I welcome the commitments made by the two Cypriot leaders on 15 October to explore the possibility of opening new crossing points, which have resulted in the two sides discussing this specific issue under the auspices of my Special Representative/Deputy Special Adviser”.
In his observations, he notes that “little concrete progress was made by the sides to halt the militarization and to reverse their actions in and around the buffer zone. The ongoing and large-scale installation of military-grade surveillance equipment, the mission’s protests and engagements notwithstanding, indicates a concerning disregard for maintaining a stable status quo in the buffer zone”.
The UNSG calls upon “both sides to cease their violations and reverse their actions, in particular unauthorized constructions, which are intended to permanently alter the military status quo of the buffer zone”.
At the same time, he says, “the policy of deliberately blurring the lines between military and civilians by disguising military positions within civilian structures raises serious humanitarian concerns, given that it may put civilians at risk. I reiterate my call to both sides to engage in a direct military contact mechanism, with the facilitation of the mission, and encourage them to pursue actively the recently improved avenues for dialogue”.
“Similarly, I am concerned by various incidents on both sides in which the delineation of the ceasefire lines was contested. In the same vein, I am concerned by the disregard shown by law enforcement agencies on both sides towards the mandated authority of the United Nations in the buffer zone, which was reflected in a record number of incursions into the buffer zone, as well as “move forward” violations by the military of both sides, notwithstanding the mission’s protests”.
The UNSG calls upon “both sides, once again, to respect and abide by the United Nations impartial delineation of the buffer zone – the only delineation recognized by the Security Council. I also once again urge Turkish Cypriot authorities to fully restore the mission’s access to Wayne’s Keep cemetery, in line with the mission’s mandate”.
He welcomes the fact that all individuals stranded in the buffer zone over the course of six months have finally been accepted into the asylum procedures of the Republic of Cyprus and provided access to reception centres.
However, he adds, “I regret the continued forcible pushbacks of asylum-seekers into the buffer zone by Republic of Cyprus authorities. Acts of ill-discipline towards UNFICYP peacekeepers by the Greek Cypriot immigration police unit are of concern”.
Beyond the buffer zone, the UNSG says, “I have repeatedly stressed the importance of the parties refraining from taking unilateral action that could raise tensions and compromise a return to talks, while also calling upon all parties to engage in dialogue to resolve their differences”.
In that respect, he reiterates his concern over “the situation in the fenced-off area of Varosha and the lack of response to the Security Council’s call for a reversal of the actions taken since the announcement of the partial reopening of the fenced-off town in October 2020”.
He further recalls the Council’s decisions related to Varosha, notably in its resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992), and the importance of adhering fully to those resolutions, underscoring that the position of the United Nations on this matter remains unchanged.
“I also deplore the restrictions on the freedom of movement of UNFICYP imposed in the area and elsewhere, as in Strovilia, and reiterate my expectation that the ability of the mission to patrol and implement its mandated activities will be restored in full. I recall that the mandate provided by the Council to UNFICYP is not limited to the buffer zone but, rather, extends to the entire island”.
The UNSG also notes that one year has passed since an understanding regarding arrangements for the Pyla/Pile plateau was reached.
“I reiterate my call to both sides to continue constructive engagement with the mission to find a way forward and resume the implementation of the agreement. UNFICYP remains committed to the preservation and implementation of the understanding”.
He says that while UNFICYP continues to play a crucial role in managing civilian access to the buffer zone, “it is regrettable that some unauthorized activities have led to tensions”.
“I call upon community leaders and local authorities to work with their communities to abide with the rules and regulations of the buffer zone. I also ask the Republic of Cyprus to provide more support to the mission to prevent dangerous and unauthorized civilian practices in the buffer zone. I am nevertheless encouraged that the de-escalation efforts of UNFICYP have mitigated these challenges and allowed the situation to remain calm”.
Noting that the year 2024 “marked several unfortunate anniversaries on the island, including during the reporting period” the UNSG says that “I regret that, in recalling the tragic history of the island, divisive narratives on the island were louder than voices of peace”.
“I am nevertheless buoyed by the sustained engagement of civil society organizations, in particular of youth groups, in deepening intercommunal relations and seeking to work together on issues of shared interest. However, without the proper resources and support, including from the political leaders, these efforts cannot bear long-lasting and island-wide results”.
Therefore, he reiterates “once again my message to the leaders to translate their pledges of inclusivity into genuine concrete steps towards facilitating reconciliation and supporting intercommunal contacts, while also ensuring that the voices of civil society organizations are meaningfully included at the political decision-making level”.
Notwithstanding my repeated calls and those of the Security Council, he adds, “efforts in Cyprus to achieve greater economic and social parity between the two sides and to broaden and deepen economic, cultural and other forms of cooperation remain limited”.
“Crossing points should facilitate the flow of traffic, and the full implementation of the Green Line Regulation would significantly help to increase the volume of trade and should be pursued with renewed vigour. Increased cross-island trade, together with deeper economic, social, cultural, sporting and other ties and contacts, would help to enhance intercommunal contacts, address the longstanding concerns of the Turkish Cypriots regarding their isolation and promote trust between the communities” the UNSG says.
Moreover, he notes that “in their efforts to promote closer cooperation between the communities, local and international actors continue to be confronted with challenges and obstacles linked to the status of the north and concerns relating to “recognition”. While the United Nations policy on Cyprus is maintained and decisions of the Security Council on the matter are upheld, I reiterate that concerns about recognition should not in themselves constitute an obstacle to increased cooperation”.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Varosha, the fenced off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, is often described as a ‘ghost town’.
UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. UN Security Council resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus be extended to include Varosha.
On October 8, 2020, the Turkish side opened part of the fenced area of Varosha, following an announcement made in Ankara on October 6. Then, in July 2021, Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, announced a partial lifting of the military status in Varosha.
In August 2023, Turkish Cypriots punched and kicked a group of international peacekeepers who obstructed crews illegally working on a road that would encroach on a UN controlled buffer zone in the area of Pyla, in the Larnaca district. The international community, including the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, condemned the attack.
Despite an understanding, reached later, for a single urban development area, construction works were halted. The UN Secretary-General Antonios Guterres said in his last report that it was unfortunate that the implementation of the understanding remained suspended.
Further violations occurred at times in the area of Agios Dometios, in Nicosia, and other sites in and around the buffer zone, involving Turkish occupation troops. Guterres reiterated the importance of the parties refraining from taking unilateral actions that could raise tensions and compromise a return to talks.
Also read: Stewart briefs UNFICYP troop contributing countries and UNSC
Source: CNA
