UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for an additional six months.
In a unanimous approval on Resolution 2453, the expiration date of the mandate of UNFICYP was extended from Jan. 31, 2019 to July 31, 2019.
The political process in Cyprus has been stalled since the collapse of the latest round of negotiations in the summer of 2017, with the Greek side accusing Turkey of insisting on intervention rights and on troops staying on in Cyprus, and the Turkish side claiming that the Greek Cypriots were not ready to share power in a bi-communal federal state.
The resolution expresses regret at the lack of progress in the political process, while urging leaders and all involved parties to use the UN consultations to restart negotiations, and avoid any actions that "might damage the chances of success."
In 1963, constitutional crises in Cyprus resulted in the outbreak of intercommunal violence. After all attempts to restore peace failed, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution that recommended the establishment of UNFICYP, and it has become one of the longest-running UN peacekeeping missions.
The mission's responsibilities expanded in 1974, following a coup by elements favoring union with Greece and a subsequent military intervention by Turkey, whose troops established control over the northern part of the island.
