UN Security Council extends mandate of peacekeeping mission in Cyprus

The UN Security Council on Thursday adopted a draft resolution to prolong the mandate of the UN mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP) by six months, ending July 31, 2014. The resolution said that the responsibility for finding a solution lies first and foremost with the Cypriots themselves. It reaffirmed the primary role of the United Nations in assisting the parties to bring the Cyprus conflict and division of the island to a comprehensive and durable settlement. The document also acknowledged the efforts made so far to restart talks, but expressed disappointment that formal negotiations have not yet resumed, calling on the parties to agree on a substantive way forward as soon as possible. It also called for renewed efforts to implement all remaining confidence building measures, and for agreement on and implementation of further steps to build trust between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when the Turkish military intervened and controlled the north of the island after a coup by a group of Greek officers. For several decades, the United Nations has continuously worked to persuade the two communities to find a solution to the Cyprus issue. Reunification talks between estranged Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been stalled for the past 14 months, in part because of financial turmoil engulfing the island and its need for an international bailout. UNFICYP was originally set up by the Security Council in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the two communities. After the hostilities of 1974, the Council has mandated the Force to perform certain additional functions. In the absence of a political settlement to the Cyprus problem, UNFICYP has remained on the island to supervise ceasefire lines, maintain a buffer zone, undertake humanitarian activities and support the good offices mission of the UN secretary-general.