Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2646 (2022)
Extending the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 31 January 2023, the Security Council today expressing concern over unauthorized activities in the buffer zone separating Greek and Turkish communities in the northern and southern regions of the Mediterranean island since 1974 and condemned the 21 May attack on an UNFICYP vehicle patrolling the zone.
Unanimously adopting resolution 2646 (2022) (to be issued as document S/RES/2646), the Council also expressed deep regret over unilateral actions that run contrary to its previous resolutions and statements on Varosha, a quarter of the seaside town of Famagusta.
The Council called for the immediate reversal of this course of action and of all steps taken on Varosha since October 2020 and, expressing further regret that recent actions have not been in line with this call, stressed the need to avoid any unilateral actions that could raise tensions on the island and undermine the prospects for a peaceful settlement.
Expressing concern over the continuing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Council called on the leaders of the two Cypriot communities — and all involved parties — to refrain from any actions and rhetoric that might damage the settlement process and raise tensions on the island.
Further, expressing regret over the lack of progress on an effective mechanism for direct military contacts between the sides and the relevant involved parties, the Council urged flexibility and engagement by the same, facilitated by UNFICYP, to develop and implement an acceptable proposal on establishing such a mechanism. It called on the sides to reduce existing barriers to intercommunal contact and urged them to implement further confidence-building measures that can contribute to a conducive environment for settlement.
Through the text, the Council urged the sides and all involved parties to respect UNFICYP’s mandated authority in — and delineation of — the buffer zone, renewing its call on both sides to respect the integrity of the buffer zone, remove all unauthorized constructions and prevent unauthorized military or civilian activities within and along the ceasefire lines.
The Council also stressed that UNFICYP’s mandated authority extends throughout Cyprus, and that restrictions on its freedom of movement can present serious risks to the safety and security of United Nations personnel serving in peacekeeping operations.
Additionally, the Council requested the Secretary-General to submit, by 3 January 2023, a report on his good offices, in particular on progress towards reaching a consensus starting point for meaningful, results-oriented negotiations leading to a settlement.
The meeting began at 10:03 a.m. and ended at 10:06 a.m.