With each passing year, the gap between the two sides is becoming clearer, gradually eroding the prospects of finding a mutually acceptable political settlement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says in his draft Good Services report.
However, he stressed that he will continue to encourage the two leaders to be open to dialogue, as he believes this is vital to finding a way forward. He also pointed out that the incidents in Pyla are an example of how developments in the dead zone can negatively affect the situation on the island.
The UN Secretary-General’s Good Services and UNFICYP reports focus on developments from 13 June 2023 to 12 December 2023 and provide an update on activities carried out by the Secretary-General’s Good Services Mission and UNFICYP under the leadership of Deputy Special Adviser for Cyprus, Colin Stewart.
The report on Good Services highlights the two meetings between the leaders of the two communities, the President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulidis and the Turkish leader Ersin Tatar, which took place during the June-December period, but did not proceed to substantive discussions and with very different positions regarding the peace process, as highlighted.
Gate
The episode in Pyla led to the suspension of the regular tripartite meetings of the representatives of the two leaders with the Deputy Special Adviser on Cyprus for almost two months, the Good Services report states, while emphasizing that the events in Pyla were an example of how developments in the neutral zone can negatively affect the situation on the island.
“I once again strongly condemn the attacks against peacekeepers in Pyla on August 18. The security of peacekeepers is a priority for the United Nations and there is no compromise. I am also concerned about the disinformation campaign targeting uniformed UNFICYP and questioning the mission,” the Secretary-General points out.
The UNFICYP draft report notes that the authority of the peacekeeping force in and around the demilitarized zone, as mandated by the Security Council, including the demarcation of cease-fire lines defining the safe zone, continued to be contested by both sides, resulting in a worsening trend of both military and other violations.
It also highlights the breach of the buffer zone which has prompted a series of actions by both sides that have continued to fuel mistrust and counter confidence-building efforts.
The report refers to March 4, 2024, when the United Nations in Cyprus will mark 60 years of continuous and coordinated efforts to maintain peace and stability on the island and to assist Cypriots in a mutually acceptable resolution of their disputes.
It is a disappointing reminder of how long the people of Cyprus have been waiting for a solution, it says. For nearly 50 years, in the absence of a formal ceasefire agreement, UNFICYP peacekeepers have successfully de-escalated tensions in the no-fly zone and averted conflict, the report said.
Technical Committees
Special mention is made of the Good Services report to the Technical Committees. The majority of technical committees maintained the same regularity of meetings as in the previous reporting period, while the Technical Committee on Humanitarian Affairs resumed meeting after a year and the Technical Committee on Education remained largely inactive, with one plenary meeting to be planned immediately after the end of the reporting period, it is noted.
Observations
As stated in the report, this period will mark several anniversaries related to Cyprus, including the 60th anniversary of UN peacekeeping and good offices in Cyprus. The United Nations remains steadfast in its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus issue.
However, with each passing year, the gap between the two sides becomes increasingly clear, gradually eroding the prospects of finding a mutually acceptable political settlement.
As stated in the Good Services report, while the parties’ underlying positions on the peace process remain very different, the Secretary-General will continue to encourage the two leaders to be open to mutually agreeable details for dialogue, as he believes this is vital to find a way forward. Significant initiatives or gestures are also critical to drive dialogue and trust-building, he says, among other things.
The Secretary-General encourages the two leaders and their representatives to discuss, agree and implement mutually acceptable confidence-building measures that can contribute to an environment more conducive to a settlement.
“I urge the two leaders to engage in discussions on their respective proposals that have been put forward in the spirit of building trust and finding common ground for the benefit of all. To this end, both leaders should actively promote people-to-people communication, cooperation and trade, including by improving existing crossing points and opening new ones. The sides should also cooperate on issues related to irregular migration, as well as in relation to crisis management and response,” he says.
It speaks of expanding trade and business ties and securing the infrastructure to support them which has only significant positive effects on the lives of Cypriots, but also remains one of the best ways to restore confidence in a settlement. “Each incremental improvement can help pave the way for greater public acceptance of a mutually acceptable settlement in the future,” he says.
Varosia
In the report, the Secretary-General stresses the importance of the two sides refraining from unilateral actions and actions both within and adjacent to the buffer zone that could increase tensions, calling on them to engage in dialogue to resolve their differences. He expressed his concern about the developments in the fenced-off area of Varossia, emphasized that the position of the United Nations on Varosia remains unchanged, in accordance with the decisions of the Security Council and resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992), and underlined the importance of full compliance with these resolutions.
In his report, the Secretary-General commends the governments of Greece and Turkey for their stated commitment to strengthen the positive climate that has been created in their bilateral relations. “I encourage them to continue deepening their political dialogue and cooperation to build trust and promote stability in the region. I encourage all the guarantor powers to urge the two leaders in Cyprus to start a dialogue to seek a mutually acceptable course for the Cyprus issue”.
It urges the parties to make sincere efforts to explore options for sustainable energy in and around the island that can benefit all parties and to refrain from actions that may increase tensions. He reiterated that the natural resources in and around Cyprus should benefit both communities and is a strong incentive for the parties to seek mutually acceptable and sustainable solutions to disputes related to natural resources.
Missing people
The UN Secretary-General makes a special mention of the missing. To date, it says, of the 2,002 missing, 1,036 have been officially identified and their remains returned to their families for burial, including six during the reporting period.
On July 28, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders jointly visited the anthropological laboratory and reaffirmed their strong support for the committee’s humanitarian work.
The resolution to renew the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus is expected to be adopted by the Security Council on January 30.
Source: KYPE
