The United Nations Security Council adopted today in New York the resolution to renew the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), which expires tomorrow, for another year. Therefore, the mandate of the force is extended until 31 January 2025.
Resolution number 2723 (2024) was adopted unanimously, by all 15 members of the Security Council.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the renewal of UNFICYP's terms of reference by the Security Council
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed in a statement issued on Tuesday evening the unanimous adoption of United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution 2723, which renews the mandate of the Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for another 12 months, until January 31, 2025.
As stated, with its resolution, the Security Council reaffirms all resolutions related to Cyprus and recalls the importance of finding a sustainable, inclusive and just solution based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, as determined by the relevant resolutions. It is added that in this context, the SA reiterates its full support for the continued commitment of the Secretary-General in the effort to reach a mutually acceptable solution under the auspices of the UN and welcomes the appointment of a Personal Envoy, who will undertake on his behalf a Mission of Good Services.
As mentioned, the Security Council also reiterates its position on the status of the Varossia exclusion zone, as set out in the relevant resolutions and the Statement by the President of the Security Council (A/PRST/2021/13), and its call for the immediate withdrawal of all of the actions which are not consistent with the resolutions in question, while he also repeats his appeal to the Turkish forces to restore the regime in the Strovilia region as it was before June 2000.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs then states that the Security Council expresses particular concern over the repeated trend of violations of the northern cease-fire line and the questioning of the status of the no-fly zone by Turkish forces, while reiterating its condemnation of last August's attacks in Pyla, against of peacekeepers, and calls for the implementation of the Understanding reached on Pyla as an important confidence-building measure.
"Taking actions that will contribute to creating a good climate, reducing tensions and building trust is of great importance in view of the mission of the Envoy of the Secretary-General. The Cypriot Government remains fully committed to work constructively in this direction and reiterates its full support to the Mission of Ms. María Ángela Holguín Cuellar, looking forward to creating the necessary momentum to restart a meaningful negotiation process, which will lead to a comprehensive solution in the framework of the UN", the announcement concludes.