President called on UN to intervene over Turkish buffer zone violations

President Nikos Christodoulides requested the UN intervene on Cyprus’ behalf to stop Turkish violations in the buffer zone, it emerged on Sunday.

In a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres dated December 22, Christodoulides called on Guterres to intervene with Turkey to stop violations in the buffer zone.

He expressed “deep concern” that continued violations “could lead to a serious crisis”.

In the letter published by Philenews, Christodoulides requested the UNSG’s involvement following a series of violations in Ayios Dhometios and Pyla, where peacekeepers were attacked by Turkish Cypriots attempting to build a road in the buffer zone.

Christodoulides said: “There is a dramatic increase in alarming violations by the Turkish occupying forces at various locations in the UN-monitored buffer zone in Cyprus.”

He referred to attacks on Unficyp members in Pyla last August, the illegal installation of a camera at ‘Maria’s House’ in Ayios Dhometios in December, as well as other serious violations to extend military control by the occupying army over several locations in the buffer zone, including a prevention of access to Wayne’s Keep cemetery by the Turkish army, thus imposing de fact authority over an area of the buffer zone.

Christodoulides also noted in the letter that Wayne’s Keep was not the only cemetery in the buffer zone, where access was prevented by the Turkish army.

The president also mentioned other violations in the buffer zone, such as in Strovilia, Avlona, the Cetinkaya stadium, and an area west of Ledra Palace including Erechtheiou Street (Burhan Tan Street).

“The escalation of violations in the buffer zone by Turkish forces, within a few months, can only be interpreted as a hardening of Turkey’s stance on the ground and a clear attempt to grab and create new de facto situations,” Christodoulides said.

Continuing, Christodoulides expressed deep concern, saying that “these escalating violations by Turkish forces could lead to a serious crisis”.

“At a time when the Middle East is being destroyed by war, the maintenance of peace and stability in Cyprus becomes even more important. Moreover, as we await the imminent announcement of the new UN envoy for Cyprus, with the aim of facilitating the resumption of negotiations within the agreed framework as set out in the relevant Security Council Resolutions, it is vital that the situation on the ground contributes to this direction,” he said.

Closing, he requested that Guterres address the issue by reiterating to Ankara the need for calm and restraint so that all parties can engage meaningfully with the new UN envoy and find a way to enter the negotiations.

He also noted that “it is important that the UN documents these violations in its forthcoming report and is unequivocal in its contacts with Turkey, calling on Turkey to respect the buffer zone status and ensure the restoration of the status quo ante.”