Resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for another six months, i.e. until 31 July 2022, is expected to be approved by the United Nations Security Council, which meets for this purpose on the morning of Thursday 27 January at New York time.
In its resolution, the Security Council expresses its full support for UNFICYP and decides to extend its mandate until 31 July 2022. It also expresses full support for the ongoing efforts of the UN Secretary-General, reiterating the importance of transparency, flexibility and compromise in finding common ground with a view to returning to formal negotiations, urging the parties to renew their efforts to achieve a lasting, comprehensive and just settlement, based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in relevant Security Council resolutions.
The Security Council also expresses concern about the ongoing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, and underlines that disputes should be resolved peacefully in accordance with applicable international law. It calls on the two Cypriot communities and all parties involved to refrain from any action and rhetoric that could harm the settlement process, which could increase tensions on the island.
It also underlines that the responsibility for finding a solution lies primarily with the Cypriots themselves, reaffirming the primary role of the United Nations in assisting the parties to reach a comprehensive and viable settlement with a sense of urgency.
The Security Council notes with regret the lack of progress towards the resumption of formal negotiations and stresses that the status quo is not sustainable, that the situation on the ground is static and that the lack of agreement promotes political tensions and deepens the alienation of the two communities, risking irreversible changes on the ground and reducing the prospects for a settlement.
Recalling the status of the Varosha as set out in relevant resolutions, including resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992), and its Presidential Statement condemning the announcement on 20 July 2021 of the further reopening of part of the fenced area of the Varosha, it deeply regrets the unilateral actions that run counter to its previous resolutions and statements on the Varosha.
It also calls for the immediate reversal of this course of action and all steps taken in Varosha since October 2020 and reiterates that no actions should be taken in relation to Varosha that are inconsistent with its resolutions and continues to stress the need to avoid any unilateral actions that could increase tensions on the island and undermine the prospects for a peaceful settlement.
It also reaffirms all its relevant resolutions on Cyprus, in particular resolution 1251 (1999), and recalls the importance of achieving a lasting, comprehensive and just settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant resolutions, including paragraph 4 of resolution 716 (1991).
It also fully supports the Secretary-General's continued engagement with both sides and encourages further rounds of informal talks, stressing the importance of an approach by both sides as well as all parties involved in a spirit of transparency, flexibility and compromise, showing the necessary political will and commitment to freely negotiate a mutually acceptable solution.
Furthermore, it calls on the two leaders to urgently, inter alia, reinvigorate their efforts to provide the necessary support and overall guidance and freedom to the technical committees to enable them to complete their work without political obstacles, to intensify efforts to promote peace education throughout the island and to increase their support and to ensure a meaningful role for civil society participation in the peace efforts, in particular women's organisations. Also encourages the leaders of the two communities to provide written updates to the Secretary-General's Good Offices Mission on the actions they are taking to achieve a sustainable and comprehensive settlement, requesting the Secretary-General to include the content of these updates in his Good Offices Report.
Also requests the Secretary-General to submit a report by 5 July 2022 on the implementation of this resolution.
Source: CNA
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