Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’ foreign ministry said it shares United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ concern over advances by Turkish and Turkish Cypriot personnel into the buffer zone near Pyla, close to Larnaca.
Foreign ministry statement
The ministry said violations by the “occupying army” continue to be recorded in and around the buffer zone, particularly in Pyla, Varosha and Strovilia.
It condemned what it described as illegal actions by the occupying army, including the harassment of Cypriot citizens and restrictions on the United Nations peacekeeping force’s ability to carry out its mandate.
The ministry also criticised Guterres’ report, accusing him of a longstanding tendency to maintain equal distances between the two sides when recounting incidents.
It said this approach does not present a comprehensive and accurate picture of conditions on the ground, arguing that the incidents arise from the Turkish occupation and the methods followed by occupation forces, which it said undermine efforts to create trust.
Talks on Cyprus
The ministry welcomed Guterres’ efforts to resume negotiations on the Cyprus problem and said it shares his view that confidence-building measures cannot replace a negotiation process.
It said it looks forward to the immediate resumption of talks aimed at reaching a sustainable, comprehensive and just solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality.
UN concerns over Pyla
In his report on the status of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus, Unficyp, Guterres expressed deep concern over advances by Turkish and Turkish Cypriot personnel into the buffer zone.
He said authorities in the north have claimed that part of the plateau near Pyla falls under their authority. Since early February, Turkish Cypriot police have imposed access restrictions on civilians and detained a Greek Cypriot individual on one occasion, releasing the person shortly afterwards.
Guterres described the situation in the buffer zone as fragile, particularly around Pyla. He said the Turkish Cypriot presence near the village was further reinforced in April through the gradual deployment of static vehicles at key locations in the buffer zone.
