Nicosia: The first draft resolution for the renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate was given to all members of the Security Council, so that the necessary consultations can take place and all parties can make representations to ensure wording that represents their positions.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the entire process is expected to be completed on January 31 with the – unanimous, as expected, according to UN sources – adoption of the resolution renewing the mandate of UNFICYP, recording the Security Council’s appreciation for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General, as well as his personal envoy, Maria Angela Holgun Cu©llar.
The Cyprus News Agency has learnt there is a broad consensus among the majority of the members of the Security Council in support of informal talks, which not only endorse their continuation but also their expansion to include the guarantor powers (Greece, Turkey, United Kingdom).
At the same time, a similar level of support seems to be given to the perception of the necessity of confidence-building measures to avoid further alienation between the two communities.
Information from non-permanent members of the Security Council note, the resolution will reaffirm the status of Varosha and will once again call for the reversal of the steps taken since 2020.
Diplomatic sources report that during the closed briefings of the Security Council, all five permanent members (USA, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom) maintained equal distance on the Cyprus issue. Overall, the Security Council reiterated its support for a fair solution that would include a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality.
Russia, according to its Permanent Mission to the UN, supports the presence of UNFICYP in Cyprus and considers it both a necessary element for maintaining a peaceful climate and a prerequisite for any dialogue.
“Any change in the composition of the mission’s troops should take into account both the situation on the ground and the views of both sides. It should be carefully calculated with the goal of a sustainable settlement in Cyprus in mind. Russia warns against hasty decisions,” its Permanent Mission noted.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.