Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides expressed satisfaction for the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution for the renewal of the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
Speaking to reporters in Limassol, on the sidelines of the World Conference of Cyprus Diaspora, Kasoulides also said that the Ministry will continue to support UNFICYP but at the same time it insists on its position regarding the setting up of barbed wire in the buffer zone in an effort to curb illegal migrants from the Turkish occupied north crossing into the government-controlled areas.
Invited to comment on the newly adopted resolution, Kasoulides said “we are satisfied because a lot has been said about the UN Secretary General’s reports about no references to the basis for a solution to the Cyprus problem, that of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality.”
The Minister said around 20 previous reports on Cyprus contained no reference. “We are satisfied because the resolution refers to the basis for a solution, a bizonal, bicommunal federation and also makes reference to the UN resolutions concerning Famagusta and the references on the town by the President of the Security Council calling for a reversal of the actions taken against the lawful residents with the opening of the fenced off area of Varosha”.
He said the Greek Cypriot side shares the SC’s regret that currently negotiations are not underway, adding “you understand that we cannot go to the negotiating table alone, we need to be talking to the other side which is putting up conditions that are contrary to the newly adopted resolution”.
For all these reasons, he added, “we are satisfied”.
Regarding the criticism to erect barbed-wire fence on the Green Line, on the edge of the buffer zone to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers, Kasoulides said that the resolution contains a reference that the status of the buffer zone is being violated. “Our view has existed since 1974 and does not agree with UNFICYP’s version of where the boundaries of the buffer zone are located” he said.
He underlined that the government will not change its position on the issue, adding that “we have done everything possible to allow free movement of UNFICYP, negotiations were held before the Ministry of Interior put up the barbed wire, which is not a permanent structure, and there are many entrances at various points which UNFICYP can use for its patrols.”
The Minister added, “we will protect UNFICYP, we will support it”, however, “we insist on our position as defined in the negotiations”.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third.
Source: Cyprus News Agency