UNFICYP will continue to contribute, through its activities and assistance to communities, to creating the conditions for a successful settlement process, including through the support of relevant trust-building and trust-building initiatives.
This is stated by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, in the remarks of his semi-annual report on the international peacekeeping force in Cyprus, which was given today unofficially to the members of the UN.
The General Secretary suggests to the SA the renewal of the mandate of UNFICYP for another six months, until July 31, 2018, while noting that at the request of the Security Council, UNFICYP maintained its transitional plans in relation to a settlement.
"However, he emphasizes, no progress was made in the further elaboration of such plans during the reporting period, due to the absence of new developments between the parties on the issue."
In relation to the mission of his good services, the UN Secretary General recalls in his remarks the relevant report of the report of 28 September 2017, where he stressed that his good services remain available to assist the parties if they decide to resume negotiations together. with the necessary political will.
"I reiterate my encouragement to the parties to maintain the work based on the convergences and understandings achieved during the last years of the negotiations and especially during the period between 15 May 2015 and 6 July 2017."
In the chapter of the report on the important political developments of the semester, the Secretary General states that after the conclusion of the Conference on Cyprus in Crans Montana, Switzerland, on July 7, 2017, and the report on the mission of good services published on September 28, 2017 The parties remained in a period of reflection to determine whether and when the conditions will mature again for a substantive process with a view to reaching a comprehensive settlement.
"Also, during the reporting period, he continues, the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus scheduled for January 2018 were more and more at the center of political discourse, as well as the election campaign in the Turkish Cypriot community before the elections scheduled to take place in the northern part of the island on January 7. In addition, the political and security environment on the island was characterized by increased activity around the exploration of natural gas reserves in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus, highlighting the mutual suspicion between the relevant parties involved.
Especially on the issue of the exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus, in his remarks Mr. Guterres notes that it remains an issue that could lead to tensions between those involved.
"As I have repeatedly emphasized, it is important to ensure that all the natural resources around Cyprus will benefit both communities. I maintain the view that the existence of common natural resources is a strong incentive for all parties to find a viable solution to the Cyprus problem and must establish deeper cooperation for the benefit of all Cypriots and stakeholders in the region. I remember that the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders previously agreed that the natural resources in a unified Cyprus would be the responsibility of the future federal government. It remains necessary for all parties to make every effort to defuse tensions. "
Writes: Apostolis Zoupaniotis
Source: RIK News