The UN Security Council resolution on the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), for a period of six months, was adopted on 26 July.

Regrettably, the wordings prejudging the future conduct of the Cyprus settlement process which were included in the last two resolutions on UNFICYP, namely Resolution 2369 adopted on 27 July 2017 and Resolution 2398 adopted on 30 January 2018, have been retained in the text of this resolution as well.

Turkey sees no meaning in these wordings contained in the most recent resolution of 26 July on the extension of UNFICYP’s mandate, which prejudge the result of the contacts by the Secretary-General’s consultant and the possible future shape of the settlement process. These wordings also do not contribute to the settlement of the Cyprus issue.

Following the closure of the Conference on Cyprus on 7 July 2017 without an outcome and the end of the last negotiation process, the UN Secretary-General indicated the disappointment which ensued from the closure of the Conference without an agreement being reached. He invited the parties, particularly the two Leaders on the Island, to reflect deeply on this result and on the possible way ahead. For the past year, Turkey has been conducting its reflection in close consultation with the Turkish Cypriot side, on the basis of the broad perspective presented in the Secretary-General’s call.

With this understanding, when consenting to the appointment made by the Secretary-General for the purpose of holding exploratory contacts with the two sides on the Island and the three Guarantors on their reflection periods, Turkey put on record its view that this temporary appointment would not imply any restart of the negotiation process which ended in 2017. This view was confirmed by the UN side.

We believe that any process in the coming period can only be successful if it is based on the current realities on the Island and the experience gained from the negotiations conducted during the past half century, and if it aims for suitable expectations and outcomes.