Cyprus Reacts to UN Secretary-General's Reports on Cyprus Issue and UNFICYP

In an official statement released yesterday, the Ministry voiced concerns over what it perceived as a lack of impartiality in the reports.

According to the statement, Cyprus authorities are particularly troubled by the way incidents along the buffer zone are recorded and the perceived bias in maintaining equal distances between the conflicting parties. The Ministry argued that incidents in specific areas, such as Pyla, Deryneia, Ayios Demetrios (Metehan), Akyar, and Maronite villages, were not adequately documented, reflecting a long-standing trend of not recording events clearly.

The Ministry expressed its appreciation for Secretary-General Guterres' commitment to restarting a substantive negotiation process that could lead to a mutually acceptable solution. However, it also noted that the reports lacked strength in addressing humanitarian issues, including the living conditions of Greek Cypriots and Maronites residing in the Turkish-controlled north and the need for Turkey to collaborate in determining the fate of missing persons.

The issue of the closed-off area of Varosha (Maraş) was emphasized in the reports, with concerns raised about developments in this region. The Ministry welcomed Guterres' continued adherence to the UN's position on Varosha and highlighted ongoing violations in Akyar.

In concluding the statement, the Ministry assured its commitment to constructive cooperation with UNFICYP for the effective implementation of its mandate. It reiterated its dedication to the ultimate goal of achieving a fair and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue based on relevant decisions of the UN Security Council.