Turkish occupation remains a painful reality the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos said addressing an event organised by the Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the United Nations, to mark the 60th anniversary since the UN peacekeeping force (UNFICYP) was established in Cyprus in 1964. The event took place at the international organisation's headquarters in New York. The Foreign Minister stressed that the Republic of Cyprus, as one of the few UN members states that is both a host country and a troop contributor, can attest to the necessity of sustaining and supporting UN peacekeeping. Particularly, in the face of ever-evolving challenges. 'Today, the Republic of Cyprus is hosting one of the longest-running peacekeeping operations in the world. Members of the Force served the UN and Cypriots with courage, some giving their lives during their service. Their sacrifice is not forgotten. And the Republic of Cyprus remains grateful. The conflict is not frozen. Turkish occupation remains a painful real ity, an ongoing violation of Public International Law, a constant reminder that a member state of this Organisation faces, on a daily basis, the existential threat of the aggressor,' he noted. Kombos underlined that the attacks against members of the Peacekeeping Force last August which the international community has condemned in the strongest possible terms, as well as the recent forward movements of the occupying forces, are manifestations of the current challenges. 'The UN cannot be selective. The UN cannot be threatened. The UN cannot water down the principles for which servicemen and women have sacrificed their lives. An invasion took place. There is a victim and an aggressor. There is a state that is member of the UN and an illegal entity, the product of an aggression. The median line, or the landing zone of equal distance, is dangerous. And it should not be associated with the UN,' Kombos stressed. He further said also that Cyprus recognizes the vital role of UN peacekeeping worldwide. 'UN peaceke epers, around the world, have helped countries to navigate the difficult path: from conflict to peace; from instability to resilient security' he said. The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) condemned the assaults against UN peacekeepers and damage to UN vehicles by personnel from the Turkish Cypriot side this morning. In August 2023 an incident took place inside the buffer zone near Pyla/Pile as UN peacekeepers blocked unauthorized construction work in the area by the Turkish Cypriot side. UN peacekeepers were attacked and UN vehicles were damaged by personnel from the Turkish Cypriot side. Members of the Security Council condemned the incidents in the buffer zone, in the village of Pyla, in Larnaca district, with assaults against UN peacekeepers, reiterating their full support for UNFICYP and their commitment to an enduring, comprehensive and just settlement in accordance with the wishes of the people of Cyprus and based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, as set out in relevant Security Council resolutions. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. Guterres last January appointed Holguin as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue. Source: Cyprus News Agency
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