UN Security Council condemns Pyla attacks, reaffirming full support for UNFICYP

Members of the Security Council condemned late Monday the incidents in the buffer zone, in the village of Pyla, in Larnaca district, with assaults against UN peacekeepers, reiterating their full support for UNFICYP and their commitment to an enduring, comprehensive and just settlement in accordance with the wishes of the people of Cyprus and based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, as set out in relevant Security Council resolutions.

After a long meeting with several extensions which according to information was due to obstacles in reaching agreement, a press statement was issued which expresses “serious concern” and states that the unauthorised construction work constitutes a violation of the status quo in the UN buffer zone and runs against the resolutions of the Security Council.

They also condemned the attacks on UN peacekeepers and the damage to UN vehicles by Turkish Cypriot personnel and wished a speedy and full recovery to the peacekeepers who were injured. They emphasized that “attacks against peacekeepers may constitute crimes under international law and reaffirmed their full commitment to the safety of all UN personnel.”

Members of the Security Council welcomed “the halt in unauthorised construction by the Turkish Cypriot side and the removal of equipment and personnel.”

Security Council members, the press statement reads, “underscored the need to avoid further unilateral or escalatory actions by any party that could raise tensions on the island and harm prospects for a settlement.”

“The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their full support for UNFICYP and its mandated authority in and delineation of the Buffer Zone and called for the removal of all unauthorized constructions and the prevention of unauthorized military or civilian activities within and along the ceasefire lines,” it says

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their “commitment to an enduring, comprehensive and just settlement in accordance with the wishes of the people of Cyprus and based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, as set out in relevant Security Council resolutions.”

According to the statement, they encouraged “both sides to take tangible steps in support of the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and to fully engage with UNFICYP to promote a conducive climate.”

The members of the Security Council “reiterated their appeal to the sides to reach an agreement on the Secretary-General’s proposal to appoint a United Nations envoy who could provide critical support in the search for common ground with the goal of returning to formal negotiations for a lasting settlement in Cyprus.”

“The members of the Security Council agreed to remain seized of the matter,” the press statement concludes.

The Cyprus government, the UN, the EU and many countries have condemned the attacks against members of the UN peacekeeping force who were attacked on Friday morning while blocking unauthorised construction works by the Turkish Cypriot puppet regime inside the buffer zone

UN Security Council Press Statement on Cyprus