Foreign Minister for Guterres report: The references to humanitarian issues are subdued

With reference to the Reports of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the Security Council on his Good Services and the Peacekeeping Force (UNFICYP), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to note the following:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the reaffirmation of the commitment of the Secretary General to the efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, guided by the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, which also determine the relevant parameters of the United Nations. The commitment of the Secretary-General to restart a substantive negotiation process, which will lead to a mutually acceptable solution within the framework of the United Nations, is reflected in the recent appointment of Ms. Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar as his Personal Envoy. The Cypriot Government reiterates its commitment to support Ms. Holguin Cuellar's mission, looking forward to a quick lifting of the impasse and a restart of the negotiation process.

With reference to the Report on UNFICYP, the expressed concern of the Secretary General regarding the developments in the closed area of ​​Varosia, for which Turkey is responsible, is noted. It is also noted his assurance that the United Nations maintains its position on the issue of Varossia, repeating its call for full compliance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, and a return to the status quo ante.

Regarding the situation in the demilitarized zone, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shares the concern expressed by the Secretary-General regarding the repeated violations by the Turkish occupation forces, which appear to be part of a systematic political questioning of the ceasefire line and the status of the demilitarized zone . In particular, the reports record a series of violations in Pyla, the Deryneia area and the wider area of ​​Nicosia, with special reference to the dead zone in the area of ​​Agios Dometios and "Maria's House". Unfortunately, in all cases – including the case of the ongoing violation in Strovillia – a clear record of events is not achieved following a time-honored trend of maintaining equal distances.

References to humanitarian issues such as the living conditions of the trapped and the need for Turkey's cooperation in ascertaining the fate of the missing remain, unfortunately, subdued.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to cooperate constructively with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus for the effective implementation of the terms of its mandate and with the ultimate goal of achieving a comprehensive and fair solution to the Cyprus issue based on the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.