CYPRUS: Government confident UN peacekeepers will stay

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Nicosia expects the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) mandate will be renewed later this month by the UN Security Council, government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said.


It would be “an absolute paradox” if the situation regarding UNFICYP changed, as efforts for the resumption of Cyprus talks is underway by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through his envoy Jane Holl Lute, said Prodromou.



He said that Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades is focused on the consultations taking place with Lute.



The government expects that UNFICYP mandate will be renewed for six months, but the spokesman recalled that there is a general orientation of reviewing peacekeeping operations, but said it is necessary that UNFICYP remains on the island and continues to play its role as long as there are thousands of Turkish troops still in Cyprus.



He said this message has been conveyed by President Anastasiades, noting that foreign officials understand this position.



"UNFICYP plays a very significant role as it is due to the peacekeeping force that that the situation is calm, and any incidents are prevented.”

The UN Security Council will meet on January 30 to adopt a resolution regarding the renewal of the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for another six months.