Resolution 1117 (1997), Adopted Unanimously, Welcomes Secretary-General's Decision to Launch Direct Negotiations between Leaders of Cypriot Communities.

The Security Council this morning decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for a further six months until 31 December and called upon the military authorities on both sides to refrain from any action, particularly in the vicinity of the buffer zone, which would exacerbate tensions.

By unanimously adopting resolution 1117 (1997), the Council stressed its support for the Secretary-General's mission of good offices and the importance of working with him towards an overall comprehensive settlement. It welcomed the decision of the Secretary-General to launch a sustained process of direct negotiations between the leaders of the two Cypriot communities with the aim of securing such a settlement. Furthermore, the Council called on those leaders to commit themselves to the process of negotiations, including participation in the first session to be held 9 to 13 July, at the Troutbeck conference centre in Dutchess County, New York. Stressing that full support of all concerned was necessary for the negotiating process to produce results, the Council urged the leaders to cooperate actively and constructively with the Secretary-General and his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Diego Cordovez.

The Council urged the continuation of the efforts of the United Nations and others concerned to promote the holding of bicommunal events to build trust and mutual respect between the two communities. It acknowledged the recent cooperation from both sides to that end, and strongly encouraged them to take further steps to facilitate such bicommunal events and to ensure that they take place in conditions of safety and security.

Also by the resolution, the Council reiterated its grave concern about the excessive levels, expansion, upgrading and modernization of the military forces and armaments in Cyprus, and the lack of significant reduction in the number of foreign troops in the country, which threatened to raise tensions, both on the island and in the region, and complicate efforts to negotiate an overall political settlement.

The Council reaffirmed its position that a settlement must be based on a State of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded, and comprising two politically equal communities as described in the relevant Security Council resolutions, in a bicommunal and bizonal federation, and that such a settlement must exclude union, in whole or in part, with any other country or any form of partition or secession.

The Council also reaffirmed that the decision of the European Union concerning the opening of accession negotiations with Cyprus was an important development that should facilitate an overall settlement.

For further details please see official record:
S/PV.3794

For further details please see source:
MEETINGS COVERAGE

View moreView less