UNSG releases UNFICYP and Good Services reports

The UN reports on the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNIFICYP) and the Good Services of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres were released as official documents.

The two reports cover the period from December 13, 2022 to June 12, 2023.

In the UNFICYP report, the Secretary-General calls on the leaders of the two sides to take urgent action to address what he says is mistrust between them.

"As time works against a mutually acceptable political settlement in Cyprus, I call on both sides to create space for meaningful dialogue, to send a clear and unequivocal message that this time, things will be different," he says.

Regarding the fenced - off part of Turkish occupied Famagusta, known as Varosha, Antonio Guterres reiterates his concern about any new developments in the walled area of ​​Varosha and the lack of response to the call of the Security Council to reverse the actions taken after the announcement of the partial reopening of the walled city in October 2020.

The General Secretary adds that both he and his advisers will continue to be in contact and dialogue with the parties. "In these efforts I remain guided by the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, which have established the parameters of the United Nations."

In his Good Services report, the Secretary-General stresses that "an important step would be an agreement by both sides to appoint a United Nations envoy who could explore ways of reaching common ground to resume negotiations for a permanent settlement in Cyprus".

He also noted that any opportunities to build trust and goodwill between the sides that may arise in the coming period must be seized with meaningful initiatives.

"Such initiatives are vital to building momentum toward a dialogue that could ultimately chart a path back to settlement talks. An important step forward would be an agreement with the sides to appoint a UN envoy who could explore ways to find common ground towards the resumption of negotiations for a lasting settlement in Cyprus,” he says.

In the report on Good Services, Guterres referred to the election of President Nikos Christodoulides, while pointing out the visit of the Deputy Secretary General for Political and Peace Affairs, Rosemary Di Carlo to Cyprus a few months ago.

As he notes, "the first "face-to-face" meeting between Christodoulides and Tatar was a positive step for establishing a connection between the two sides.

The Secretary-General also emphasises in the report that regional dynamics and bilateral relations between the guarantor powers of Greece and Turkey have improved".

Referring to the inter-community technical committees, Guterres points out that they could do more, noting that in particular the obstacles faced by the technical committee for Education must be addressed.

(Source: CNA)