Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas said on Tuesday that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s report on the renewal of the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) contains positive and negative elements.
Among the positive elements, Palmas noted the clear message for the implementation of the July 8 agreement and the necessity for the continuation of UNFICYP’s presence on the island, adding that negative elements were the reference to the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.
Commenting on a reference in the report to the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, Minister of Foreign Affairs George Lillikas said one should view the situation politically and not as propaganda.
Lillikas explained that this reference existed in previous reports but had not been adopted by the Security Council, ”and this is what matters.”
At his daily briefing, Palmas said negative elements were the UN Secretary General’s opinion that the presence of UNFICYP may contribute to prolonging the Cyprus problem, the reference to the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, and the difficulties faced by UNFICYP members in carrying out their duties within the buffer zone.
He said positive elements were the clear message about the necessity to implement the July 8 agreement, brokered by the UN, in a way that would not leave any room for deviations from or burying of the process, and that it was necessary for UNFICYP to remain on the island, thus proposing the renewal of its mandate for six months.
Another positive element was the reference to the increasing construction in the Turkish occupied areas, which continues to be a cause of concern, as it could complicate efforts to reach a settlement.
Furthermore, the report refers to the recent demolition of houses belonging to Greek Cypriots in the Turkish occupied areas, the delay in lifting Turkish army minefields and Turkish Cypriot objections to use EU funds in this direction, the stance of the Turkish forces towards citizens entering the buffer zone and the firing of warning shots and the responsibility of Turkey to maintain the status quo in the fenced-off area of Famagusta.
Replying to questions, Palmas said he did not think the negative aspects of the report could be turned around by Friday, when the report is set to be discussed.
Asked about the July 8 agreement and the fact that the report does not deplore the negative stance of the Turkish Cypriot side, Palmas said the UN Secretary General was trying to maintain a balance in order to give the agreement a push.
Asked if there has been any progress in the meetings between the representatives of the leaders of the two communities, Tasos Tzionis and Rasit Pertev, Palmas said they had met again on Monday.
”I do not believe there is any development worth announcing,” the Spokesman added.
Replying to questions about the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and the fact that Turkish claims appear to be gaining ground, Palmas said the government was continuously trying to explain the reality and had proven time and again its willingness to support the Turkish Cypriots.
Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on 8 July 2006, during a meeting in Nicosia in the presence of UN official Ibrahim Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
