‘Unficyp mission jeopardized by fait accomplis’

The Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the UN, Ambassador Maria Michail spoke about the importance of peacekeeping operations (PKOs) as a key tool in addressing today’s challenges to global peace and security, while addressing an open meeting of the Security Council. 

The deployment of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (Unficyp) has been demonstrated over the years and remains true to this day, she said, noting however that the mission’s success is currently being jeopardized “by the acceptance of faits accompli on the ground.”

Michail said there is a need to improve their effectiveness through initiatives such as Action for Peacekeeping and the New Agenda for Peace, ensuring that UN missions are fit for their purpose.

“Cyprus, as the host country to one of the longest-running peacekeeping operations in the world, is acutely aware of the necessity of sustaining a UN force that prevents the recurrence of fighting, particularly in the face of ever-evolving challenges,” she said.

“The continuous occupation by Turkey of over a third of Cyprus’ territory and constant violations by the occupation army of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus, contrary to UNSC Resolutions, underscore this necessity. The deployment of Unficyp and the significance of its presence both in maintaining the ceasefire on the island and in the context of regional stability has been demonstrated over the years and remains true to this day,” she added.

She also said that Unficyp’s mandate, as agreed to by the Republic of Cyprus, aims to uphold the Charter, implement the relevant UNSC Resolutions and act as a bulwark against the consolidation of the effects of aggression, by contributing to the restoration of law and order and ensuring a return to normal conditions.

“The success of this mission is currently being jeopardized by the acceptance of faits accompli on the ground. It is therefore imperative to ensure that impartiality for PKOs translates to adherence to the principles of the Charter, the ability to distinguish victim from aggressor, as well as putting an end to any attempts to interfere with the status and deployment of Forces. Transparent and sincere cooperation with the Host State is a sine qua non” Ambassador Michail stressed.

She went on to say that in the current global geopolitical context, it is imperative for the UN, and the Security Council in particular, to demonstrate that there are no double standards in the application of the Charter.

“The sovereignty and territorial integrity of states under attack must be defended, no matter where the attacks are coming from or how much time has passed. The Security Council must stand behind its own resolutions and ensure they have meaning; otherwise, the credibility of the international system is severely undermined” she added.

She said that peacekeeping “is not an end in itself. It can only create and maintain conditions conducive to the fundamental task of searching for lasting political solutions, and as such should be complementary to peace-making.”