The United Nations Security Council Resolution (2197/2015) dated 29 January 2015, which extends the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 31 July 2015, states that it welcomes the Report of the UN Secretary-General on UNFICYP. In the said Report, the UN Secretary-General makes reference to the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people and emphasizes the necessity for the removal of such restrictions and barriers. The omission of the UN Security Council to make a clear reference to the unfair and illegitimate isolation which is still imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people, has rendered the Resolution inconsistent and lacking. Similarly in the said Resolution, the customary reference to the so-called “Republic of Cyprus”, as well as the lack of reference to the consent of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the extension of the mandate of UNFICYP, is not an acceptable approach and is contradictory to the historical, legal and political realities of the island of Cyprus.

It is amply clear that the call made in the Resolution towards the resumption of the comprehensive settlement negotiations in the shortest possible time is aimed at the Greek Cypriot leadership who withdrew from the settlement talks. The fact that the Resolution refrains from using a language which could be interpreted as a precondition for the commencement of the negotiations, clearly indicates the expectation of the Council in this regard.

Our expectation from the Greek Cypriot side is to act in line with this call by displaying a sincere approach and returning to the negotiation table as soon as possible without any preconditions in order to reach a settlement based on equality and compromise. The Turkish Cypriot side maintains its decisive stance towards the immediate resumption and conclusion of the negotiation process based on the established UN parameters, convergences achieved between the two sides and the Joint Statement of 11 February 2014 within a specific timeframe under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Good Offices Mission.