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18-01-2022 09:09

Closed consultations on the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus

The United Nations Security Council held closed consultations on Monday, 17 January 2022, on the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), chaired by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations, Ambassador Odd-Inge Kvalheim.

Following the consultations, Ambassador Kvalheim made the following statement to Media representatives and answered questions as follows:

“Hello and good evening, everyone. Today, the Council Members held closed consultations on UNFICYP, with a briefing by Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Colin Stewart, whom we all welcomed in his new appointment.

Members engaged in an open exchange of views on the situation as detailed in two recent reports from the Secretary-General. 

The Members recognize the challenging situation on the ground as described in the Secretary-General’s report.

The Members called for respect and adherence to all relevant Security Council resolutions and decisions.

And finally, the Members expressed the readiness to engage in negotiations on the Security Council resolution to extend the mandate on UNFICYP”.

Question: There is a deadlock regarding the appointment of the new envoy of the Secretary-General. How realistic is it to see some progress in the near future?

Odd-Inge Kvalheim: Well, basically we have heard from the Special Representative that the focus of the Mission is very much now on building trust and respect across with the communities on the island and have some of a bottom of approach over time to create a better setting for building peace on the island.

As you know, this has been more or less a difficult situation for many decades, so it always takes time to solve. So as of the moment, there are no breakthrough issues or measures that are on the table.

Question: So, you are pessimistic, not optimistic?

Odd-Inge Kvalheim: I think that depends if you see the glass half full or half empty.

Question: There is a public complaint for the UN's lack of reaction at Varosha. How do you comment?

Odd-Inge Kvalheim: Well, many of the Council’s Members touched upon this issue as well and the Council is following the situation very closely. There is some criticism after some of the measures that have been taken on the ground in that respect.

Question: One more question which relates to energy security. Does the fact that the US government doesn’t support the East-Med pipeline according to a non-paper that was leaked the previous days, creates a new dynamic for the negotiations?

Odd-Inge Kvalheim: I feel that I am not in a position to comment on the US position when it comes to this matter.

(MG/ECHR)