AKEL on the renewal of the UNFICYP mandate by the Security Council
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 31st February 2018, Nicosia
The resolution of the UN Security Council deals with the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). It is a resolution that centres on two main pillars. Firstly, it reiterates a lot of the positive elements that include previous resolutions as well, and secondly it contains substantial references in relation to the good offices of the UN in Cyprus.
What stands out is the following:
- The UN Security Council welcomes the UN Secretary-General’s intention to remain at the disposal of the parties, provided that they decide jointly to re-engage in the negotiations with the necessary political will in the manner described in his Report of 28th September 2017.
- It calls on the two leaders to work towards finding further convergences on the core issues and to improve the public atmosphere, including the conveying of public positive messages on the convergences, and to refrain from a public rhetoric which makes the achievement of a solution more difficult.
- The UN Security Council calls on the Secretary-General to submit a Report on his Good Offices by 15th June 2018.
It is clear that the Security Council is in full alignment with the position of the UN Secretary-General. Mr. Anastasiades and his election campaign staff need to realize that ambiguous positions and accusing the Secretary-General of the UN won’t yield any results. The person who can negotiate with seriousness and assertiveness on the basis of principles is Stavros Malas.
