The UN Secretary-General’s report on the United Nations operation in Cyprus, covering developments from 16 December 2014 to 20 June 2015 has been released.

In his report, Mr Ban Ki-moon notes the positive momentum surrounding the resumption of the talks for a solution of the Cyprus problem,

"as well as the energy and dedication displayed by both sides. I welcome the commitment expressed by the leaders to work tirelessly to reach a comprehensive settlement of the question of Cyprus as soon as possible. I encourage both leaders to grasp the current unique opportunity to create a peaceful common future for the island”. 

He also welcomes the commitment by the leaders to seek early agreement on confidence-building measures and urged them to take "decisive and pragmatic steps towards tangibly implementing those measures in good faith and without delay”.

The UN Chief further said he intends to submit a detailed report on his good offices mission in the Fall of 2015.

Credit: Kibris Postasi Learn more »

The Turkish government is reported to have set up preconditions prior to the opening of the fenced off town of Varosha/Maras.

According to Turkish daily ‘Milliyet’, these conditions were discussed during President Mustafa Akinci’s visit to Ankara where he met with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

In order for Varosha to be opened, Ercan airport should be opened for international flights and Famagusta port is to be opened as well. In addition, the agreement for direct trade must be applied.

Should the government of the Republic of Cyprus agree on these conditions, then Ankara is ready to allow a group of UN specialists to enter Varosha under the supervision of Turkish authorities, the paper reports.

Milliyet

Learn more »

President Dervis Eroglu formally handed over the presidency to newly elected President Mustafa Akinci in a ceremony at the presidential palace on Thursday evening.

The event took place in front of former president Mehmet Ali Talat, Speaker of the Assembly Sibel Siber and Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc and other dignitaries.

Eroglu congratulated Akinci and wished him success in in the next five years.

Akinci thanked the outgoing president and his predecessors for their efforts to solve the Cyprus issue and said that the status quo could not be maintained.

He said that solution-oriented politics would bring results, peace and stability to the whole region.

Credit: Lgcnews

Learn more »

The budget of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) was released on Tuesday in New York as an official UN document.

According to the report, UNFICYP’s budget for the period from July 1, 2015 ...amounts to $54,374,700 and provides for the deployment of 860 military contingent personnel, 69 United Nations police officers, 33 international staff and 117 local staff.

The proposed budget of $54,374,700 for the 2015/2016 period is lower by $3,629,800, or 6.3 per cent, from the $58,004,500 for the 2014/2015 period.

The variance is attributable mainly to: (a) lower requirements for international staff salaries resulting from the lower post adjustment multiplier for Cyprus, and the nationalisation of four field service posts; and (b) lower requirements for military and police personnel as well as facilities and infrastructure owing to the application of the United Nations operational exchange rate between the euro and the US dollar.

The UN Secretary General says in the report that UNFICYP “will continue to ensure the implementation of its mandate, which is to maintain the stability of the buffer zone and to facilitate a return to normal conditions. It will also continue to provide substantive, administrative and logistical support to the Secretary-General’s good offices mission in the ongoing political negotiations for a Cyprus settlement”.

...Read more

Learn more »

UNFICYP has issued a warning to the public to be aware that heavy rain has caused the position of mines in known minefields to shift. It said that it was working quickly to fence off any affected areas.

The buffer zone in Mammara is thought to be particularly hazardous.

“Mines present a danger to persons travelling by foot and by vehicle and members of the public should be aware that not all minefields along the buffer zone are fenced completely or marked with mine signs,” UNFICYP said.

In addition, UNFICYP is warning members of the public on both sides of the ceasefire line that if they come across any markers as shown above, they should leave the area immediately.

“Members of the public are requested to respect mine signs in the buffer zone and to comply with UNFICYP’s instructions. They can report suspicious objects seen in the buffer zone immediately on the contact numbers listed below. “Please do not approach or touch suspicious objects,” UNFICYP said.

Also, as part of routine safety procedures inside the buffer zone, members of the public are advised to ensure that they have up-to-date permits for their activities.

“They are further reminded that hunting and other unauthorised activities in the buffer zone are prohibited. Armed hunters are at risk of drawing fire from either of the opposing forces, and hunters wearing camouflage apparel and carrying guns can be easily mistaken for soldiers,” the statement said.

UNFICYP contact telephone numbers: Once you are connected to the Mission Directory, please dial ‘0’ to speak with the Operations Centre.

From north by landline: 601 4000
From north by mobile: 0392 601 4000
From south: 22 614000

Credit: Cyprus Mail

Learn more »