Turkish FMA criticizes shortcomings of UN peacekeeping mandate extension in Northern Cyprus

The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) should continue to operate legally in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). However, the latest extension of the UNFICYP mandate once again ignores this crucial fact.

The Turkish ministry of foreign affairs released a press statement on January 30, responding to the UN's latest decision to extend the mandate of its peacekeeping forces on the island.

"Despite the fact that they are not included in the reports of the United Nations Secretary-General, we observe that the Council, detached from the realities on the ground and disregarding the will of the TRNC towards a two-state settlement, insists on settlement models that have been tried and have failed many times. This situation is incompatible with common sense and goodwill, and shows that, instead of promoting a real settlement on the Island, the Council is unable to free itself from Greek Cypriot influence", the statement reads.

The ministry states, that the UN's calls for cooperation between the two sides stand in stark contradiction with the facts as it fails to consider the realistic, constructive and sincere cooperation proposals conveyed by TRNC President Mr. Ersin Tatar to the UN Secretary-General in his letters dated July 1 and 8, 2022.

The statement also points to the fact that Istanbul rejects the points in the resolution regarding the region of Maraş and urges the Council to stop supporting the "insincere attitude of the Greek Cypriot Administration, which aims to prevent Greek Cypriots who wish to return to their properties from doing so. We take this opportunity to emphasize once again that Maraş is TRNC territory".

Amid the discussions regarding the extension of the UN mandate, the TRNC was not consulted, which the ministry calls contrary to established UN practice. The statement urges the council to continue its activities on TRNC territory, yet on a legal basis.