United Nations Security Council Resolution 1687 – Cyprus

Resolution 1687 (2006)

The Security Council,

Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 23 May 2006 (S/2006/315) on the United Nations operation in Cyprus,

Reiterating its call to the parties to assess and address the humanitarian issue of missing persons with due urgency and seriousness, and welcoming in this regard the resumption of the activities of the Committee on Missing Persons since August 2004, as well as the appointment by the Secretary-General of a Third Member who will assume his duties in July 2006,

Noting that the Government of Cyprus is agreed that in view of the prevailing conditions in the island it is necessary to keep UNFICYP beyond 15 June 2006,

Taking note of the assessment of the Secretary-General that the security situation on the island continues to be stable and that the situation along the Green Line remains calm, and expressing the hope that there will be a decrease in the overall number of incidents involving the two sides,

Urging both sides to avoid any action which could lead to an increase in tension and, in this context, noting with concern sequential developments in the vicinity of Dherinia, the increase in unauthorized construction of building for personal and commercial use in the buffer zone, and developments at certain checkpoints in sector four, including new restrictions on UNFICYP’s freedom of movement, and encouraging both sides to engage in consultations with UNFICYP on the demarcation of the buffer zone, and to respect UNFICYP’s mandate and operations in the buffer zone,

Regretting that the gap between words and deeds remains too great for the Secretary-General to resume fully his good offices mission and urging progress towards the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive settlement.

In this context welcoming the Secretary-General’s efforts to encourage renewed bicommunal contacts, and the agreement to a proposal to establish a mechanism for bi communal discussions at the technical level, as well as the agreement of both leaders to meet on the occasion of the installation of the Third Member of the Committee on Missing Persons on Cyprus,

Welcoming progress in demining, particularly in the Nicosia area, and expressing strong support for UNFICYP’s efforts to extend demining operations to Turkish Forces minefields in the rest of the buffer zone,

Welcoming the fact that over 10 million crossings by Greek Cypriots to the north and Turkish Cypriots to the south have taken place peacefully, and encouraging the opening of additional crossing points,

Expressing concern at continued disagreement over construction activity relating to the proposed additional crossing point at Ledra Street and urging both sides to cooperate with UNFICYP to resolve this issue,

Welcoming the emphasis of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on greater cohesiveness in the efforts of the United Nations family in Cyprus, as well as the Secretary-General’s intention to keep the operations of UNFICYP under close review while continuing to take into account developments on the ground and the views of the parties, and to revert to the Council with recommendations as appropriate for further adjustments to UNFICYP’s mandate, force levels and concept of operation as soon as warranted,

Welcoming all efforts to promote bicommunal contacts and events, including, inter alia, on the part of the United Nations, and urging the two sides to promote further bicommunal contacts and to remove any obstacles to such contacts,

Echoing the Secretary-General’s gratitude to the Government of Cyprus and the Government of Greece for their voluntary contributions to the funding of UNFICYP, and his request for further voluntary contributions from other countries and organizations,

Welcoming and encouraging efforts by the United Nations to sensitize peacekeeping personnel in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases in all its peacekeeping operations,

1. Reaffirms all its relevant resolutions on Cyprus, in particular resolution 1251 (1999) of 29 June 1999 and subsequent resolutions;

2. Expresses its full support for UNFICYP, including its mandate in the buffer zone, and decides to extend its mandate for a further period ending 15 December 2006;

3. Calls on the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkish forces to restore in Strovilia the military status quo which existed there prior to 30 June 2000;

4. Encourages active participation in bicommunal discussions at the technical level, under the leadership of the SRSG, and expresses its full support for the latter;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on implementation of this resolution by 1 December 2006;

6. Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by UNFICYP to implement the Secretary-General’s zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct, requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take appropriate preventive action including the conduct of pre-deployment awareness training, and to take disciplinary action and other action to ensure full accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel;

7. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

Adopted by the Security Council at its 5465th meeting, on 15 June 2006.