UN Security Council Extends UNFICYP Mandate

The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for another year. The previous agreement expires today.

According to the UN statement, the resolution was unanimously adopted, with all 15 council members voting in favor. The mandate of the peacekeeping force has been extended until January 31, 2025.

It is noted that this is the second time the mandate has been extended for a year, rather than the previous six-month intervals.

The unanimous decision of the UN Security Council was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades. The head of the administration of Greek Cypriots emphasized that this decision "confirms all relevant resolutions regarding the form of the Cyprus settlement."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus noted that the Security Council is particularly concerned about the recurring trend of violations of the ceasefire line and the dispute over the status of the buffer zone by Turkish forces. The Security Council also condemns again the attacks on peacekeepers in Pyla last August and calls for the implementation of the agreements reached on Pyla as an important confidence-building measure.

At the same time, the authorities of the TRNC responded critically to the decision of the UN Security Council to extend the mandate of the peacekeeping force, stating that UNFICYP failed to fulfill its main tasks.

"The Security Council once again made a mistake by extending the UNFICYP mandate without obtaining the consent of the Cypriot-Turkish side. We reject this approach, which ignores the will and existence of the Cypriot-Turkish side," the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted.

The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) is a UN peacekeeping force contingent stationed on the island since 1974 to maintain peace between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.