Nicosia, Cyprus. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the situation in Cyprus’ buffer zone remains fragile, highlighting concerns over the Pyla plateau, military activity along the ceasefire lines, Varosha, unauthorised civilian activity, and threats to peacekeepers.
Political engagement and lack of de-escalation
In observations released on Monday night, Guterres welcomed the recent positive engagement by the leaders regarding the political process and said the regularity of their meetings during the reporting period was encouraging.
He said, however, that he regretted that no progress had been made in response to his repeated calls for the sides to de-escalate growing military modernisation along the respective ceasefire lines and to reverse their actions in and around the buffer zone.
Warnings over military violations
Guterres urged both sides to cease their military construction violations, warning that these actions seek to permanently alter the military status quo of the buffer zone.
He was particularly critical of the policy of deliberately blurring the distinction between military and civilians by concealing military positions within civilian structures, describing it as a serious concern.
He also said that actions seeking to advance military positions or otherwise alter facts on the ground were equally concerning, stressing that invoking the imbalance of forces on the island cannot justify violations.
Call for direct military contact
The UN chief reiterated his call, along with that of the Security Council, for both sides to explore mechanisms for direct military contact and encouraged them to actively pursue avenues for dialogue with the facilitation of Unficyp.
He said local and international actors seeking to promote closer cooperation between the communities continue to face challenges and obstacles linked to the status of the north and concerns relating to recognition.
While noting that United Nations policy remains unchanged and Security Council decisions on the matter are strictly upheld, Guterres said concerns about recognition should not in themselves constitute an obstacle to increased cooperation.
Pyla plateau a deep concern
On Pyla, Guterres said the situation on the Pyla/Pile plateau remains of deep concern and reiterated the need for all parties to respect and abide by the United Nations’ impartial delineation of the buffer zone, which he said is the only delineation recognised by the Security Council.
He said that while Unficyp plays an essential role in de-escalating tensions and safeguarding the integrity of the buffer zone, its ability to curb unauthorised activity is limited without the full cooperation of the sides.
Guterres stressed that the sides have the responsibility to respect the integrity of the buffer zone and the UN’s mandated authority there.