The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday expressed its displeasure over the UN Security Council’s resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus for 12 months.

The ministry in its statement pointed out that despite UNFICYP’s 60-year presence in Cyprus, it has failed to fulfil its fundamental duties such as treating the two sides on the island equally and finding a fair resolution to disputes.

It also noted that UNFICYP has become the guardian of the status quo, considered unsustainable by all relevant parties.

The foreign ministry reminded that the peacekeeping force was allowed to operate within the borders of the TRNC out of good faith of Turkish Cypriot authorities.

“By extending the mandate of UNFICYP without obtaining our approval, the Security Council has once again repeated its mistake. We reject this approach that ignores the will and existence of the Turkish Cypriot side. Sovereignty in the north of Cyprus belongs to the Turkish Cypriot people and their state, the TRNC. It is a prerequisite for UNFICYP to conduct its activities in our country on a legitimate basis.”

The statement pointed out that the Security Council decision called on the parties to develop a constructive relationship with the Personal Representative appointed by the UN Secretary-General on the one hand and the other hand, to make efforts towards achieving a comprehensive agreement based on a “bizonal, bicommunal federation” in Cyprus.

“Imposing a model that has proven to be unsuccessful and does not align with reality is a great disrespect to the will of the Turkish Cypriot people and places preconditions on the engagements of the Personal Representative. We would like to remind that we have approved the appointment of a Personal Representative for a period not exceeding six months to determine whether there is a common ground for starting a new negotiation process. Our expectation from the Personal Representative is for her to conduct her contacts openly and to record our new vision for the Cyprus issue once again,”

The foreign ministry added that the only realistic solution on the island at this stage was the development of good neighbourly relations based on the sovereign equality and equal international status of the existing two states.

“At this stage, to achieve permanent cooperation and a stable environment on the island, UN Security Council members need to review the expired Security Council resolutions and adopt a new approach based on the existence of two separate peoples and two separate states within their borders in Cyprus,” the statement read.

Also pointing out that the resolution touches upon buffer zone violations and the situation specifically in Pile, the TRNC foreign ministry reminded that UNFICYP was entirely responsible for attempting to obstruct the construction of the Yiğitler-Pile road.

“The Turkish Cypriot side demands the implementation of the agreement reached with the Peacekeeping Force regarding the construction of the road and its completion as soon as possible. On the other hand, the Greek Cypriot administration, claiming to be the sole owner of the island, is trying to extend its hegemonic attitude to the buffer zone. The increasing tension and violations in the buffer zone are a result of this distorted understanding,” the statement read.