Nicosia has welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2815 (2026), which renews the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for a further 12 months, until 31 January 2027.
In a statement, the government stressed that UNFICYP’s presence in Cyprus, based on its mandate, remains indispensable for as long as the Turkish occupation continues. It underlined that the Republic of Cyprus will continue to cooperate constructively with UNFICYP to ensure the effective implementation of its mandate.
Continuing violations
In a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also welcomed the Security Council’s continued support for the UN Secretary-General’s efforts to restart negotiations aimed at achieving an enduring, comprehensive and just settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in relevant UN resolutions.
“With Resolution 2815 (2026), the Security Council reiterates, inter alia, its call for the reversal of all Turkish actions in the fenced-off city of Varosha and for the restoration of the status quo ante in Strovilia and the buffer zone,” the Ministry said.
It added that, in light of the continuing violations by the occupation forces in the buffer zone, the significance of the Security Council’s call for de-escalation of tensions - as a prerequisite for creating an appropriate climate and building confidence - is particularly underscored.
Resuming negotiations
“We look forward to returning to negotiations at the earliest possible opportunity, with the aim of achieving a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” the statement concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied the island’s northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results, with the most recent negotiations, held in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, ending inconclusively.
In 2025, the UN Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York. A tripartite meeting with the leaders of the two communities was also held in late September, on the margins of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week.
María Ángela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked with engaging the parties, while former European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, designated by the European Commission as Special Envoy for Cyprus, is also expected to contribute to the settlement process, in cooperation with Holguín.
CNA