The UN Security Council will hold an open meeting on July 26 during which it is expected to adopt a resolution for the UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus, UNFICYP.
According to the Council`s agenda as it has been agreed between the Japanese Presidency and its members, on July 20 the countries who participate in UNFICYP will be briefed, likely by the UN Secretary General`s Special Representative in Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar.
UN Security Council members will be briefed by UN SG`s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide on Monday 25 July.
Ban Ki-moon`s report on the peacekeeping force is expected to be issued after Tuesday July 5 and a second one on his Mission of Good Offices in Cyprus will follow.
A British draft resolution is expected to be given to the other Security Council permanent members after July 11.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN led talks have been underway since May 2015 aiming to reunify the island under a federal roof.
UNFICYP, comprising some 1,000 staff, arrived in Cyprus in March 1964, after intercommunal fighting broke out on the island. It is one of the longest serving UN peace-keeping forces.
Since a de facto ceasefire in August 1974, UNFICYP has supervised the ceasefire lines; provided humanitarian assistance; and maintained a buffer zone. UNFICYP’s Chief of Mission also serves as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus and in that capacity leads efforts to assist the parties in reaching a comprehensive settlement.
