Minister for Home Affairs and Justice Jason Clare announced that Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers will continue their work supporting the United Nations (UN) Force in Cyprus.
The AFP has committed another 15 police officers. This contribution means Australia is providing the largest component of the United Nations Police (UNPOL) contingent to Cyprus. To date, 101 police deployments have deployed to Cyprus totalling over 1,574 officers.
“The AFP’s continued presence in Cyprus demonstrates our commitment to UN peacekeeping operations, and reinforces Australia’s willingness to actively contribute in resolving conflict,” Mr Clare said.
Federal Member for Chisholm, Anna Burke, welcomed the Government’s continued commitment to Cyprus.
“Australia has played a key role in maintaining law and order in Cyprus and the surrounding region since 1964. It is important to Cyprus and the people of our community that Australia continues it’s pivotal and positive role,” Ms Burke said.
“I am pleased to see that it will be continuing.”
Mr Clare said that Australia was recently successful in securing a seat on the UN Security Council and is the 12th largest contributor to the UN regular and peacekeeping budgets.
“We have deployed 65,000 defence and police personnel to over 50 UN and other peace and security operations since 1947.
“AFP members are based throughout Cyprus where they work as patrol officers, personnel officers, instructors and political liaison officers.” Mr Clare said.