No prospects on horizon for Cyprob, Unficyp chief laments disappointing political process

The ongoing stalemate between Greek and Turkish Cypriots painted a glum outlook for how things are shaping up for the future of the island and its people, during closed-door consultations on Unficyp’s mandate on Monday.

According to Cypriot sources, special representative, head of Unficyp and deputy special adviser on Cyprus, Colin Stewart, while presenting the two reports, said that the political process is disappointing because there is no development of any kind, nor are there any prospects on the horizon, Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported.

This, it was said, is also due to the electoral processes ahead of the elections in Cyprus and Turkey in 2023.

Referring to the general climate between the two sides, Stewart stressed that there is no trust between them.

He stressed that there is an economic disparity between the government-controlled areas and the north, and recommended economic, social and cultural cooperation by the two sides to resolve the problems and re-establish a climate of trust.

The UN Security Council was holding closed consultations on Unficyp under the chairmanship of the Permanent Representative of Brazil, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho.

During the deliberations, which lasted about two hours, the members of the Security Council were briefed by Stewart, on the situation and recent developments in Cyprus, in view of the vote on the adoption of the resolution to renew the mandate of the peacekeeping force.

Regarding Varosha, the talks were reportedly subdued as there had been no reversal to what has been done so far. Stewart added that small-scale projects and infrastructure had since been observed.

According to Cypriot sources, regarding the Buffer Zone, emphasis was placed on the issue of migration and the fence being built by the government, while on the military situation, it was stressed that the two sides must agree and dialogue must begin at the military level.

Unficyp’s mandate expires on July 31, 2022, and the Security Council is expected to renew its mandate for another six months in an open meeting on 28 July 2022.