Security Council Extends Mandate of UNFICYP until 31 January 2024

The Security Council, acting unanimously yesterday , decided to renew for another year the long-standing United Nations peacekeeping presence in Cyprus, while underlining its concern over continued violations of the military status quo on the Mediterranean island. Here is the press release regarding the decision: Adopting resolution 2674 (2023) (to be issued as document S/RES/2674 (2023)) with all 15 members voting in favour, the Council expressed its full support for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) — which was first deployed in 1964 — and decided to extend its mandate until 31 January 2024.  It further affirmed its intention to continue to monitor the situation in Cyprus closely and noted its readiness to review the implementation of today’s resolution after six months, as well as to consider any adjustments or other action as needed. Expressing support for the Secretary-General’s ongoing engagement with the sides and encouraging further rounds of informal talks, the Council recalled the importance of achieving an enduring, comprehensive and just settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in the organ’s relevant resolutions.  To that end, it recalled a range of specific actions laid out in resolution 2646 (2022) and urged the leaders of the two sides to undertake them with urgency. Council members recalled the status of the Varosha area of Cyprus — as set out in relevant resolutions, and in a July 2021 presidential statement that condemned an announcement by Turkish and Turkish Cypriot leaders on the further reopening of a part of Varosha’s fenced-off area.  They expressed deep regret over the continuation of unilateral actions that run contrary to the Council’s previous resolutions and statements on Varosha, as well as disregard for their calls for an immediate reversal of that course of action, and cautioned against any further unilateral acts. By other terms of today’s text, members expressed regret for the ongoing lack of full, equal and meaningful participation of women and youth in the settlement process.  Noting the Secretary-General’s call to ensure the inclusion of at least 30 per cent women in future settlement process delegations, they also deeply regretted the lack of progress on an effective mechanism for direct military contacts between the sides and the relevant involved parties, and urged flexibility and engagement in developing such a mechanism moving forward. In addition, the Council requested the Secretary-General to submit two reports — by 4 July 2023 and 3 January 2024 respectively — on his good offices, in particular on progress towards reaching a consensus starting point for meaningful results-oriented negotiations leading to a settlement, as well as on the implementation of the present resolution.  It also encouraged the leaders of the two communities to provide relevant written updates every six months.