Cyprus
Table des matières
1. Latest developments at the Security Council 
On 30 May 2013, Mr Alexander Downer, Secretary-General Special Adviser in Cyprus, presented to the Security Council his efforts towards the resumption of negotiations between Greek and Turkish communities, since the election of Mr Nicos Anastasiades at the Presidency of the Republic on 24 February.
The representative of France reaffirmed that the United Nations should support both parties in their efforts to find confidence-building measures, in the context of the economic crisis in Cyprus, which was a top priority for the new authorities.
The complete timeline of events here.
2. Context
A United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) was established in 1964 under Security Council Resolution 186 (1964) following clashes between the Cypriot, Greek and Turkish communities.
The island has been divided since Turkey invaded the north of the island in 1974 in reaction to a coup d’état by Greek-Cypriot nationalists supported by Athens who wanted to return the island to Greece. A referendum aimed at reunifying the island, put forward by the United Nations (known as the Annan Plan), was rejected by the residents of the south of the island in 2004.
Since the agreement of 21 March 2008 between the leaders of both communities, a process of inter-communal negotiations for a comprehensive settlement has been taking place. These negotiations are being held under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General.
Mr. Alexander Downer (former Foreign Minister of Australia) is Special Adviser to the UNSG and heads the good offices mission.
Ms. Lisa Buttenheim (from the United States) has been the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and top United Nations official in Cyprus since June 2010. She heads UNFYCIP.
In the hopes of reunifying the island, France affirms its non-acceptance of the status quo and the need for a comprehensive, fair and long-term political settlement of the Cyprus problem, the internationally agreed parameters of such a settlement being a federal bi-zonal and bi-communal State with political equality as defined in Security Council resolutions.
The Security Council traditionally renews the mandate of UNFICYP every six months.
(May 2013)
3. Reference documents
24 January - Security Council - Resolution 2089, extending for six months the mandate of UNFICYP.
19 July 2012 - Security Council - Resolution 2058 extending the mandate of UNFICYP for six months
4 December 2011 - Resolution 2026 - renewing the mandate of UNFICYP
14 December 2010 - Security Council - Resolution 1953 - extending UNFICYP’s mandate
15 June 2010 - Security Council - Resolution 1930 extending UNFICYP’s mandate
14 December 2009 - Security Council - Resolution 1898 (2009)
29 May 2009 - Security Council - Resolution 1873 (2009)
30 April 2009 - Statement by the President of the Security Council
12 December 2008 - Security Council - Resolution 1847 (2008)
4 march 1964 - Security Council - Resolution 186 (1964)
4. Useful Links
Cyprus file on the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
