Unficyp chief briefs Pace on peace-building efforts in Cyprus
Colin Stewart briefed Italian MP Piero Fassino on peacebuilding efforts in Cyprus.
Security Council
‘We obviously disagree on Cyprus, but only dialogue can be the antidote’
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan disagree on the Cyprus problem, but both support dialogue as the solution. Erdogan emphasized the importance of reaching a fair and permanent solution based on the facts on the island to strengthen stability and peace in the region. United Nations Envoy Maria Angela Holguin is working on finding a solution within the framework of UN Security Council decisions, but there is currently no common ground between the parties involved.
Christodoulides , ‘cannot understand’ why Tatar refused meeting
President Nikos Christodoulides said he “cannot understand” why Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar declined the chance of a tripartite meeting with himself and United Nations Envoy Maria Angela Holguin.
Israel strikes Gaza city of Rafah after evacuation order
Israel conducted airstrikes in Rafah after instructing Palestinians to evacuate parts of the city where over a million war-displaced people are sheltering. Ceasefire talks in Cairo are stalling, and Hamas warns that any Israeli operation in Rafah could jeopardize the truce negotiations. The evacuation order has sparked fears of a full-blown assault, with Hamas declaring readiness to defend Palestinians in Rafah. The UN and aid agencies have expressed concern over the humanitarian consequences of the evacuation. Israel has been threatening to launch incursions in Rafah, citing the presence of Hamas fighters and hostages. The US has urged Israel to pursue a hostage deal to avoid a military operation in Rafah.
Russia , ‘ready to assist Holguin’, says FM Lavrov
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed willingness to assist in the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, to create conditions for the resumption of negotiations between the island’s communities.
‘European Parliament will never accept a two-state solution’
The fact described in the text is that the EU will continue to support efforts for a Cyprus solution, with the heads of the EU commission and parliament representations on the island expressing their commitment to this goal.
Borrell discusses Cyprus problem with Holguin
Fact: Holguin will meet President Nikos Christodoulides again to discuss next steps regarding the Cyprus problem.
‘Specific plan’ for positive developments on Cyprus problem
Fact: President Nikos Christodoulides mentioned that the Greek Cypriot side has a specific plan for creating positive conditions for a Cyprus solution and hopes this effort will result in a resumption of talks.
Opinion: Unlawful government measures that cause anti-refugee hysteria and panic
The government of Cyprus has indefinitely suspended the processing of asylum applications from people of Syrian origin, citing an “emergency situation due to sudden influxes” from Syria. This decision, made under the Christodoulides Government, includes the use of the National Guard in anti-refugee operations and the suspension of asylum applications for 21 months for Syrians. The government’s measures have been criticized for violating international obligations under the Geneva Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as for contributing to anti-immigration and anti-refugee sentiments. Additionally, the government’s actions have been deemed illegal and disproportionate, with concerns raised about military-style pushbacks conducted with the navy and police.
UN Envoy Holguin back in Cyprus in May
Maria Angela Holguin, the United Nations Envoy, will return to Cyprus at the beginning of May. She will meet with President Nikos Christodoulides to discuss efforts to restart negotiations from where they were interrupted in Crans Montana in 2017. Ersin Tatar insists that her duties come to an end after six months since her appointment as UN Envoy.