Η έκθεση του Γενικού Γραμματέα του Οργανισμού Ηνωμένων Εθνών (ΟΗΕ) κ. Antόnio Guterres για την Ειρηνευτική Δύναμη του ΟΗΕ στην Κύπρο (UNFICYP) κυκλοφόρησε χθες, 13 Ιανουαρίου 2025,
ως επίσημο έγγραφο του Συμβουλίου Ασφαλείας, με αριθμό S/2025/6.
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Figure III
Number of information exchanges in the Joint Contact Roomsa
Source: Comprehensive Planning and Performance Assessment System.
a Figures may differ from those previously published owing to subsequent revisions of data based on newly
available data and/or corrections of errors.
30. In the bicommunal village of Pyla/Pile, the number of illegal casinos and
nightclubs remained the same compared with the previous reporting period (10
casinos and 1 nightclub). The Joint Contact Room in Pyla/Pile continued to serve as
an avenue for the exchange of information regarding local issues, including
exchanges beyond crime-related matters. UNFICYP also sustained its foot patrols
throughout the village to increase its engagement with the local population.
31. The university in Pyla/Pile continued to operate in the buffer zone without
authorization from UNFICYP. No progress was registered in resolving the matter of
the large unauthorized construction project associated with the university.
D. Intercommunal relations, cooperation and trust-building
32. UNFICYP support for fostering contact between communities and enhancing
cooperation focused on three priority areas during the reporting period: empowering
local organizations working on bicommunal environmental matters, entrepreneurship,
business and culture; sustaining youth engagement in peace efforts; and supporting
gender-responsive approaches to intercommunal trust-building efforts (see sect. G
below).
33. As part of the first priority area, UNFICYP convened Greek Cypriot and Turkish
Cypriot non-governmental organizations to discuss pressing climate and
environmental issues on the island and organized joint field visits to Lefke/Lefka and
the Famagusta region. The groups committed themselves to enhancing knowledge -
sharing and to cooperating in addressing those challenges. The organizations also
contributed to the mission’s United Nations Youth Champions for Environment and
88 90 101 93
151
203 202
314 293
498 516
437
728
691
460
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
From Greek Cypriot to Turkish Cypriot From Turkish Cypriot to Greek Cypriot Total
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Peace programme. During the reporting period, UNFICYP and the Secretary -
General’s mission of good offices, as part of their joint working group on
environmental peacebuilding, launched a new round of the programme, involving
youth participants from across the island in intercommunal environmental initiatives.
Participants developed social actions to raise awareness on climate change to be
implemented by March 2025. UNFICYP also supported the organization of the third
youth-led intercommunal Local Conference of Youth on Climate Change, which
focused on biodiversity. The results of the conference were presented at the twenty -
ninth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, held in Baku.
34. The mission’s working group on business, innovation and entrepreneurship
organized an intercommunal business and networking fair, in partnership with local
organizations from both communities, which brought together women designers,
producers and artisans. The working group also supported a festival by the Fashion
Heritage Network of Cyprus that facilitated discussions on the role of fashion in
cultural preservation, innovation and sustainability.
35. Youth groups continued to exhibit an encouraging eagerness to sustain their
engagement. UNFICYP facilitated a workshop with alumni of the Peacebuilding in
Divided Societies programme on intercommunal dynamics in mixed villages,
examining, in particular, gendered dynamics on the island and opportunities for
collaboration. The experiential workshop was delivered in partnership with local
researchers to provide insight into the drivers of and barriers to mixed villages, and
how women and men experience those dynamics.
36. The mission also supported various events for youth groups, including the third
youth-led intercommunal youth diplomacy conference, with the participation of more
than 200 young people, who gathered to discuss global peace and security issues using
the Model United Nations conference approach. UNFICYP also facilitated an
exchange between young people and the Special Representative of the Secretary -
General on their perspectives on the Cyprus issue and the future of the island.
37. In that regard, the technical committees continued to serve as an avenue to
address issues of shared importance across the island. The regular meetings between
the Special Representative/Deputy Special Adviser and representatives of the Greek
Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, in support of the work of the technical
committees and to address other issues of mutual concern, remained a fruitful avenue
of communication. More details are provided in the report of the Secretary -General
on his mission of good offices in Cyprus (S/2025/7).
38. The European Commission continued to support trade across the Green Line
from the Turkish Cypriot to the Greek Cypriot side, among other things, by assisting
Turkish Cypriot producers in complying with European Union product standards and
by promoting the admission of additional products to the trade. However, owing to
the persistence of administrative barriers, Green Line trade performed at a slightly
lower level compared with the corresponding period in 2023, when its total annual
value reached 16 million euros.
39. Representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties held
monthly meetings under the auspices of the Embassy of Slovakia (see the report of
the Secretary-General on his mission of good offices in Cyprus (S/2025/7) for more
information).
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E. Facilitation of access and humanitarian functions
40. UNFICYP continued to provide assistance and ensure access to essential
services for Greek Cypriot and Maronites residing in the north and Turkish Cypriots
residing in the south, through visits to both communities, humanitarian deliveries,
post-mortem transfers and visits to detention facilities and courts.
41. Weekly and biweekly deliveries of humanitarian assistance were provided to
275 Greek Cypriots and 47 Maronites in the north and the post-mortem transfers of
4 Greek Cypriots and 2 Turkish Cypriots were facilitated through the checkpoints.
The mission liaised with both sides to provide logistical support for the Greek Cypriot
schools at Rizokarpaso and a transfer of textbooks that remained pending. While all
the teachers initially proposed by the Greek Cypriots were accepted by the Turkish
Cypriots, the replacement of two teachers remained pending. A teaching position for
the Maronite school at Kormakitis has yet to be filled owing to demands by the
Maronite community for a Maronite teacher. Turkish Cypriot authorities rejected 42
of 118 textbooks for the primary schools in Rizokarpaso and Kormakitis, as well as
51 of 197 textbooks for the secondary school at Rizokarpaso, and alleged that the
books had the potential to have “negative effects on the future relationship between
young generations”.
42. Opportunities to visit and hold services at religious sites across the island
remained essential for both communities. During the reporting period, UNFICYP
facilitated the passage of people for 38 religious and commemorative events, which
required crossings to the other side or were held in the buffer zone. A total of 47 per
cent of requests channelled through UNFICYP for religious services in the north were
approved by the Turkish Cypriot authorities, compared with 44 per cent in the same
period in 2023.
43. During the reporting period, UNFICYP, together with the Religious Track of the
Cyprus Peace Process, facilitated two pilgrimages to the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque
in Larnaca, which saw more than 1,150 pilgrims from the north cross to the south.
Law enforcement authorities on both sides facilitated the smooth passage, and the
successful pilgrimages, resuming a pattern interrupted until earlier in 2024 by the
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, were a tribute to a cooperative attitude
by all concerned. More details on the work of the Religious Track are provided in the
report on the Secretary-General’s mission of good offices in Cyprus (S/2025/7).
44. The operations of the crossing points across the island remained smooth. The
Technical Committee on Crossings, facilitated by UNFICYP, met regularly and
finalized discussions on the enlargement project for the Agios Dometios/Metehan
crossing point. More details are provided in the report on the Secretary-General’s
mission of good offices in Cyprus (S/2025/7).
F. Refugees and asylum-seekers
45. Pushbacks of asylum-seekers across the Green Line, as well as at sea, continued
during the reporting period. The action led to 142 persons being left stranded in the
buffer zone during the period between 15 May and 14 November 2024, including 35
children aged 9 months to 17 years, 16 of whom were unaccompanied. An application
for an interim order under European Court of Human Rights rule 39 was submitted to
the Court on 7 November 2024 containing a request for the admission to the asylum
procedures of the asylum-seekers who remained stranded in the buffer zone. All
remaining stranded asylum-seekers were admitted to the asylum procedures by
14 November. Consequently, the request for an interim order was dismissed.
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46. In addition, a boat that departed Lebanon on 21 August 2024 was intercepted by
the Cypriot Coast Guard, resulting in Syrian passengers being returned and detained
in Lebanon as well as their subsequent deportation to the Syrian Arab Republic,
contrary to the principle of non-refoulement. An additional boat was forced to return
to Lebanon by the Cypriot Coast Guard on 14 November, with 30 passengers on board
(27 Syrians and 3 Lebanese nationals), including 5 women and 10 children
(8 unaccompanied). All 27 Syrians were subsequently deported to the Syrian Arab
Republic.
47. On 8 October 2024, the European Court of Human Rights issued its decision on
the case M.A. and Z.R. v. Cyprus concerning the interception of Syrian nationals at
sea by the Cypriot authorities and their immediate return to Lebanon. The Court found
that the Cypriot authorities had essentially returned the applicants to Lebanon without
processing their asylum claims and without all the steps required under refugee law,
violating the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment, the prohibition of
collective expulsion of aliens, the right to an effective remedy and the prohibition of
torture.
48. A significant reduction in the number of registered asylum applicants was noted
during the reporting period, owing to the Republic of Cyprus policy of restricting
arrivals both at land and sea. A 37 per cent decrease was noted in the second quarter
of 2024, when the pushbacks at sea intensified and simultaneously commenced across
the Green Line. There was an additional 62 per cent decrease in the number of asylum
applications lodged in the third quarter of the year. A total of 930 persons registered
asylum applications from June to September 2024, bringing the total number of
persons in 2024 who submitted an asylum application by end of September to 5,652.
49. The suspension of the processing of the asylum applications of Syrian nationals
since April led to Syrian asylum claims amounting to 65 per cent of the 21,816
pending first instance applications. Nearly half of the applications remained pending
for periods exceeding the mandatory examination deadline of 21 months.
Figure IV
Number of asylum applications registered in the Republic of Cyprus
Source: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
0
500
1 000
1 500
2 000
2 500
Jan-22
Feb-22
Mar-22
Apr-22
May-22
Jun-22
Jul-22
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Sep-22
Oct-22
Nov-22
Dec-22
Jan-23
Feb-23
Mar-23
Apr-23
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Jun-23
Jul-23
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Jun-24
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Oct-24
2022 2023 2024
Asylum applications in Cyprus
2022–2024
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G. Gender and women and peace and security
50. Throughout the reporting period, the mission held a series of initiatives geared
towards integrating gender-responsive approaches into intercommunal trust-building
efforts. To draw visibility to the concerns that women have in relation to the peace
process, UNFICYP supported two women’s civil society organizations in organizing
intercommunal events aimed at reaching out to wider civil society on issues related
to gender-inclusive peace processes. The mission also supported advocacy efforts for
an inclusive process and supported the Cyprus antennae of the Mediterranean Women
Mediators Network in organizing a workshop to develop capacities for effective
mediation and negotiation skills and understanding of gender-inclusive peace
processes.
51. UNFICYP also organized a series of activities to engage with various
constituencies on the basis of areas of mutual interest. As part of these efforts,
UNFICYP facilitated an intergenerational workshop, in a formerly mixed village in
the south, in cooperation with Larnaca 2030, which brought together 150 Turkish
Cypriot and Greek Cypriot women from local organizations to reconnect with former
neighbours, share their traditions and cook traditional foods in a bid to further
enhance mutual awareness and understanding of the experiences of both Turkish
Cypriot and Greek Cypriot women. The mission also strengthened collaboration and
trust-building among women’s groups in Fyti (Paphos area) and Lefka/Lefke in their
locally driven cultural and entrepreneurial activities, by facilitating the active
participation of Turkish Cypriot women from Lefka/Lefke in a traditional festival in
Fyti.
52. UNFICYP marked the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence with
a film screening on femicide and the facilitation of a discussion in Lefka/Lefke, to
foster initial dialogue among women in the region on the issue.
53. UNFICYP also continued to hold capacity-building workshops on gender-
responsive operations, unconscious gender bias and other targeted sessions with
uniformed gender focal points during the reporting period, in order to enhance
awareness on and accountability for the implementation of the women and peace and
security agenda.
IV. Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus
54. The bicommunal teams of scientists of the Committee on Missing Persons in
Cyprus, supported by the United Nations and mandated to recover, identify and return
the remains of persons who went missing during the events of 1963/64 and 1974,
exhumed the remains of four persons during the reporting period, and seven teams of
Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot scientists were carrying out excavations
throughout the island at the time of writing. Since the start of its operations in 2006,
the Committee has exhumed or received the remains of 1,689 persons on both sides
of the island. The European Union remains the Committee’s main financial
contributor.
55. To date, of 2,002 missing persons on the Committee’s official list, 1,051 have
been formally identified and their remains returned to their families for dignified
burials, including the 4 during the reporting period. In addition, during the reporting
period four other persons were identified who were not on the official list of missing
persons, and their remains were also handed over to their families.
56. The Committee continued its efforts to gain access to additional information on
the location of the burial sites of missing persons from the archives of countries that
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had maintained a military or police presence in Cyprus in 1963/64 and 1974. The
Turkish Cypriot office of the Committee continued to have access to Turkish army
aerial photos taken in 1974 and the Greek Cypriot office of the Committee continued
to research the Republic of Cyprus National Guard archives of 1974. The Committee
is also using a shared web-based geographic information system application that
allows for the visualization and sharing of information among the Committee ’s three
offices and is accessible to field- and office-based employees.
V. Conduct and discipline and sexual exploitation and abuse
57. UNFICYP pursued its efforts to ensure strict adherence to the United Nations
policy of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment. In
close coordination with the Regional Conduct and Discipline Section based at the
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, the mission implemented activities related
to prevention, enforcement and remedial action regarding misconduct, including
sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, fraud and prohibited conduct in the
workplace.
58. During the reporting period, UNFICYP did not receive any allegations of sexual
exploitation and/or abuse, or sexual harassment.
VI. Financial and administrative aspects
59. The General Assembly, by its resolution 78/300 of 28 June 2024, appropriated
the amount of $56.4 million for the maintenance of the Force for the period from
1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, inclusive of the voluntary contribution of one third of
the net cost of the Force, equivalent to $19.4 million, from the Government of Cyprus
and the voluntary contribution of $6.5 million from the Government of Greece.
60. As at 3 December 2024, unpaid assessed contributions to the special account for
UNFICYP amounted to $14.6 million. The total outstanding assessed contributions
for all peacekeeping operations as at that date amounted to $1,797.3 million.
61. Reimbursement of troop costs and contingent-owned equipment has been made
for the period up to 30 June 2024.
VII. Observations
62. I note that little concrete progress was made by the sides to halt the
militarization and to reverse their actions in and around the buffer zone. The ongoing
and large-scale installation of military-grade surveillance equipment, the mission’s
protests and engagements notwithstanding, indicates a concerning disregard for
maintaining a stable status quo in the buffer zone. I call upon both sides to cease their
violations and reverse their actions, in particular unauthorized constructions, which
are intended to permanently alter the military status quo of the buffer zone.
63. At the same time, the policy of deliberately blurring the lines between military
and civilians by disguising military positions within civilian structures raises serious
humanitarian concerns, given that it may put civilians at risk. I reiterate my cal l to
both sides to engage in a direct military contact mechanism, with the facilitation of
the mission, and encourage them to pursue actively the recently improved avenues
for dialogue.
64. Similarly, I am concerned by various incidents on both sides in which the
delineation of the ceasefire lines was contested. In the same vein, I am concerned by
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the disregard shown by law enforcement agencies on both sides towards the mandated
authority of the United Nations in the buffer zone, which was reflected in a record
number of incursions into the buffer zone, as well as “move forward” violations by
the military of both sides, notwithstanding the mission’s protests. I call upon both
sides, once again, to respect and abide by the United Nations impartial delineation of
the buffer zone – the only delineation recognized by the Security Council. I also once
again urge Turkish Cypriot authorities to fully restore the mission’s access to Wayne’s
Keep cemetery, in line with the mission’s mandate.
65. I welcome the fact that all individuals stranded in the buffer zone over the course
of six months have finally been accepted into the asylum procedures of the Republic
of Cyprus and provided access to reception centres. However, I regret the continued
forcible pushbacks of asylum-seekers into the buffer zone by Republic of Cyprus
authorities. Acts of ill-discipline towards UNFICYP peacekeepers by the Greek
Cypriot immigration police unit are of concern. I stress the importance of the Republic
of Cyprus following up on its undertaking to investigate the actions of this unit. I
reiterate that the safety and security of peacekeepers remains an utmost priority for
the United Nations and cannot be compromised. I commend the extensive efforts of
UNFICYP and UNHCR to provide emergency assistance to vulnerable individuals
throughout the reporting period, notwithstanding their limited capabilities and
resources.
66. Beyond the buffer zone, I have repeatedly stressed the importance of the parties
refraining from taking unilateral action that could raise tensions and compromise a
return to talks, while also calling upon all parties to engage in dialogue to resolve
their differences. In that respect, I reiterate my concern over the situation in the
fenced-off area of Varosha and the lack of response to the Security Council’s call for
a reversal of the actions taken since the announcement of the partial reopening of th e
fenced-off town in October 2020. I further recall the Council ’s decisions related to
Varosha, notably in its resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992), and the importance of
adhering fully to those resolutions, underscoring that the position of the United
Nations on this matter remains unchanged. I also deplore the restrictions on the
freedom of movement of UNFICYP imposed in the area and elsewhere, as in Strovilia,
and reiterate my expectation that the ability of the mission to patrol and implement
its mandated activities will be restored in full. I recall that the mandate provided by
the Council to UNFICYP is not limited to the buffer zone but, rather, extends to the
entire island.
67. I also note that one year has passed since an understanding regarding
arrangements for the Pyla/Pile plateau was reached. I reiterate my call to both sides
to continue constructive engagement with the mission to find a way forward and
resume the implementation of the agreement. UNFICYP remains committed to the
preservation and implementation of the understanding.
68. While UNFICYP continues to play a crucial role in managing civilian access to
the buffer zone, it is regrettable that some unauthorized activities have led to tensions.
I call upon community leaders and local authorities to work with their communities
to abide with the rules and regulations of the buffer zone. I also ask the Republic of
Cyprus to provide more support to the mission to prevent dangerous and unauthorized
civilian practices in the buffer zone. I am nevertheless encouraged that the
de-escalation efforts of UNFICYP have mitigated these challenges and allowed the
situation to remain calm.
69. I welcome the commitments made by the two Cypriot leaders on 15 October to
explore the possibility of opening new crossing points, which have resulted in the two
sides discussing this specific issue under the auspices of my Special
Representative/Deputy Special Adviser.
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70. The year 2024 marked several unfortunate anniversaries on the island, including
during the reporting period. I regret that, in recalling the tragic history of the island,
divisive narratives on the island were louder than voices of peace. I am neverthe less
buoyed by the sustained engagement of civil society organizations, in particular of
youth groups, in deepening intercommunal relations and seeking to work together on
issues of shared interest. However, without the proper resources and support,
including from the political leaders, these efforts cannot bear long -lasting and island-
wide results. I therefore reiterate once again my message to the leaders to translate
their pledges of inclusivity into genuine concrete steps towards facilitating
reconciliation and supporting intercommunal contacts, while also ensuring that the
voices of civil society organizations are meaningfully included at the political
decision-making level.
71. Notwithstanding my repeated calls and those of the Security Council, efforts in
Cyprus to achieve greater economic and social parity between the two sides and to
broaden and deepen economic, cultural and other forms of cooperation remain
limited. Crossing points should facilitate the flow of traffic, and the full
implementation of the Green Line Regulation would significantly help to increase the
volume of trade and should be pursued with renewed vigour. Increased cross -island
trade, together with deeper economic, social, cultural, sporting and other ties and
contacts, would help to enhance intercommunal contacts, address the longstanding
concerns of the Turkish Cypriots regarding their isolation and promote trust between
the communities.
72. In their efforts to promote closer cooperation between the communities, local
and international actors continue to be confronted with challenges and obstacles
linked to the status of the north and concerns relating to “recognition”. While the
United Nations policy on Cyprus is maintained and decisions of the Security Council
on the matter are upheld, I reiterate that concerns about recognition should not in
themselves constitute an obstacle to increased cooperation.
73. Considering the continued contribution of UNFICYP to peace and stability and
to the creation of conditions conducive to a political settlement, I recommend that the
Security Council extend the mandate of the mission for 12 months, until 31 January
2026.
74. I would like to thank the partners, in particular the European Commission, that
have provided support for the work of both United Nations missions in Cyprus, the
United Nations Development Programme and the Committee on Missing Persons in
Cyprus, and that have contributed to the implementation of important confidence -
building measures. I also thank the 44 countries that have contributed troops, police
or both to UNFICYP since 1964 and pay tribute to the 187 peacekeepers who have
lost their lives in the service of peace in Cyprus.
75. Lastly, I express my gratitude to my Special Representative in Cyprus, Head of
UNFICYP and Deputy Special Adviser on Cyprus for his leadership of the United
Nations presence on the island. I also express my appreciation to all the women and
men serving in UNFICYP for their steadfast commitment to the implementation of
the mandate of the mission and the cause of peace on the island.
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Annex
Countries providing military and police personnel to the
United Nations operation in Cyprus (as at 11 December 2024)
Country Number of military personnel
Argentina 261
Austria 3
Bangladesh 1
Brazil 2
Canada 1
Chile 6
Ghana 1
Hungary 11
India 1
Mongolia 3
Pakistan 3
Paraguay –
Russian Federation 4
Serbia 8
Slovakia 240
Ukraine –
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 255
Total 800
Country Number of police personnel
Bosnia and Herzegovina 5
Brazil 1
China 3
Finland 3
Germany 4
Hungary 1
Indonesia 4
Ireland 12
Italy 4
Jordan 7
Montenegro 6
Nepal 4
Russian Federation 5
Serbia 3
Slovakia 5
Totala 67
a Of the military personnel, 683 are men and 117 are women. Of the police personnel, 37 are
men and 30 are women.