UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has recommended that the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) be extended for six months, until
15 June 2011.
In his report on the United Nations Operation in Cyprus that will be issued as a document of the UN Security Council, which covers developments from
21 May 2010 to 20 November 2010, Ban noted that during the reporting period, the situation in the buffer zone remained calm and relations between UNFICYP and the opposing forces remained good and cooperative.
“The overall number of violations has declined. Low-level exercises near the cease fire lines unnecessarily cause tensions and should be avoided,” Ban said and expressed hope that discussions on military confidence-building measures initiated by UNFICYP will enjoy the support and cooperation of both opposing forces and produce tangible results.”
Ban said that both communities have continued to rely on UNFICYP’s assistance in areas ranging from humanitarian, social and economic matters to a variety of bi-communal issues affecting the everyday lives of Cypriots and UNFICYP continued to work closely with the two communities in solving practical day-to-day issues, including the civilian use of the buffer zone.
“These efforts are important in building confidence and positive relations between the communities, and I call on both sides to continue to support UNFICYP in this regard,” Ban underlined.
He noted that UNFICYP has been instrumental in facilitating cooperation between the sides in the field of cultural heritage and crime and criminal matters, including the implementation of concrete measures agreed in the respective Technical Committees.
In the area of cultural heritage, it is important that all parties lend their full support to the implementation of agreed measures aimed at preserving the rich common cultural heritage of Cyprus, he said.
He welcomed the increase in exchange of information between the two sides with regard to crime and criminal matters, not only as a reflection of a growing mutual trust but also as a significant contribution towards producing tangible results for the common security of all Cypriots.
Referring to the opening of the Limnitis crossing point, Ban said that “this important and long-awaited development is a tangible confidence-building measure and will improve the daily life of many Cypriots. The creation of a joint committee to consider the establishment of other crossing points is a welcome sign of political will to bring the communities closer together. It is important that efforts in this direction be pragmatic and results-oriented, with a view to enabling further social and economic interaction between the two sides,” Ban noted.
He expressed satisfaction that the humanitarian work of the Committee on Missing Persons continues largely unhindered and urged all parties concerned to continue all efforts to prevent the work of the Committee from being politicized.
He also underlined that complete access to military areas in the north for the purposes of exhumations remains crucial and urged the Turkish Forces to adopt a more forthcoming approach, given the humanitarian dimension of the issue.
With regard to the de-mining in the buffer zone he said that “having continued apace and now nearing completion, is at a critical juncture.
Access to the last four mined areas in the buffer zone has not yet been granted by the National Guard or the Turkish Forces,” he noted and called upon the parties to release those areas so that a mine-free buffer zone may be delivered for all Cypriots within the timeframe of the current project.
The United Nations stands ready to further assist the parties in their aspiration to achieve a mine-free Cyprus.
“It is my firm belief that UNFICYP continues to play an important role on the island, all the more so at this sensitive juncture of the talks. The Mission works closely with the Office of my Special Advisor and other United Nations agencies and programmes, which are actively engaged in promoting an atmosphere conducive for the negotiations. I recommend, therefore, that the Security Council extend the mandate of UNFICYP for six months, until 15 June 2011,” Ban continued.