Nicosia, Cyprus. Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Wednesday that persistent provocations in the buffer zone could escalate and may result in casualties. He called on the United Nations and Unficyp to take additional measures following recent incidents in Avlona and Pyla.
Palmas calls for stronger UN response
Speaking to CyBC radio, Palmas said Unficyp troops acted promptly in Pyla but added that the United Nations should be concerned and introduce additional measures, saying the situation could not continue. He warned of attempts to gain territory in the buffer zone from the north and urged Unficyp to implement stricter measures.
Allegations against Turkish military and call for accountability
Palmas accused the Turkish military of being behind recent violations and said Turkey should be held accountable by the United Nations for alleged offences.
Avlona incident involving unauthorised agricultural activity
His comments followed an incident on Monday in which an individual believed to be a Turkish settler entered the buffer zone in Avlona, located between Nicosia and Morphou, and carried out unauthorised agricultural activity despite intervention by peacekeepers. Avlona community leader Menelaos Savva confirmed the incident and said it involved the same individual removed from the area on April 26 after entering without the relevant permits. Savva said the person returned and carried out work in the area.
Pyla report and Unficyp statement on tank location
The Avlona incident came about two weeks after Turkish tanks were allegedly spotted in the buffer zone village of Pyla. At the time, Unficyp spokesman Aleem Siddique told the Cyprus Mail that the tanks were at all times located north of the northern ceasefire line and therefore not in the buffer zone.
What further measures do you think the United Nations should take in response to incidents in the buffer zone?
