United Nations Security Council Resolution 2587 – The situation in Cyprus

Resolution 2587 (2021)

The Security Council,

Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 9 July 2021 on his Good Offices S/2021/634 and on the United Nations operation in Cyprus (S/2021/635), and expressing its full support for his Good Offices, including the existing body of work, to remain available to assist the sides,

Underscoring that the responsibility for finding a solution lies first and foremost with the Cypriots themselves, and reaffirming the primary role of the United Nations in assisting the parties to bring the Cyprus conflict and division of the island to a comprehensive and durable settlement with a sense of urgency,

Welcoming the work of the Secretary-General and that of his team in convening the informal “five plus UN” meeting between the leaders of the two Cypriot Communities and the Guarantor Powers in Geneva on 27–29 April, and noting with regret that sufficient common ground could not be found at the meeting to allow for the resumption of formal negotiations at this time,

Expressing full support for the Secretary-General’s ongoing efforts and noting the importance of openness, flexibility and compromise in finding common ground with the goal of returning to formal negotiations, and urging the sides to renew their efforts to achieve an enduring, comprehensive and just settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in relevant Security Council resolutions, including paragraph 4 of its resolution 716 (1991),

Stressing that the status quo is unsustainable, that the situation on the ground is not static, and that the lack of an agreement furthers political tensions and deepens the estrangement of both communities, risking irreversible changes on the ground, and reducing the prospects of a settlement,

Noting the easing of tensions in the eastern Mediterranean over hydrocarbons exploration, remaining convinced of the many important benefits, including economic benefits, for all Cypriots and the wider region that would flow from a comprehensive and durable settlement, and reiterating the Secretary-General’s previous call to avoid escalatory steps,

Recalling its Presidential Statement (S/PRST/2021/13), which condemns the 20 July announcement by Turkish and Turkish Cypriot leaders on the issue of Varosha, and calls for the immediate reversal of this course of action and the reversal of all steps taken on Varosha since October 2020, reaffirming the status of Varosha as set out in its previous resolutions, and reiterating that no actions should be carried out in relation to Varosha that are not in accordance with those resolutions, and stressing the need to avoid any unilateral actions that could trigger tensions on the island and undermine the prospects for a peaceful settlement,

Recalling its resolution 1325 (2000) and all related resolutions, recognising that the full, equal and meaningful participation and leadership of women is essential in building peace in Cyprus and will contribute to making any future settlement sustainable, welcoming efforts to bring together a broader range of women actors on both sides, acknowledging the gender-sensitive socioeconomic impact assessment that was launched on 17 February 2020, and looking forward to the full and swift implementations of its recommendations, encouraging the sides to ensure the needs and perspectives of women are addressed in a future settlement,

Recalling its resolution 2250 (2015) and related resolutions that recognise the important and positive contribution of youth in efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, and as a key aspect of the sustainability, inclusiveness and success of peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, and further encourages the full, equal and meaningful participation of youth in this process,

Recognising the ongoing efforts made by both communities to suppress the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate its effects, regretting the impact that the largely uncoordinated responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have had on bi-communal engagement, welcoming the reopening of all crossing points and encouraging the return to the status of the crossings as at 29 February 2020,

Expressing concern at the continued deterioration of the law and order situation in Pyla, and urging both sides to continue to work with UNFICYP to establish effective measures to tackle criminal activities,

Reiterating the importance of confidence-building measures and their timely implementation, and encouraging the sides to consider new military confidence building measures,

Urging the sides to step up their efforts to promote intercommunal contacts, reconciliation and the active engagement of civil society, in particular women and youth, and recognising that regular, effective contact and communication between the sides enhances the prospects for settlement and is in the interests of all Cypriots, and helps to address island-wide matters, including migration, health, crime, environmental protection, and issues related to the adverse impacts of climate change,

Noting that the Government of Cyprus is agreed that in view of the prevailing conditions on the island it is necessary to keep the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) beyond 31 July 2021,

Welcoming measures to date to strengthen the liaison and engagement capacity of the mission, noting the importance of transition planning in relation to the settlement, and emphasising the need to review regularly all peacekeeping operations, including UNFICYP, to ensure efficiency and effectiveness,

Expressing appreciation to Member States that contribute personnel to UNFICYP, and noting the continued voluntary contributions to the funding of UNFICYP by the Government of Cyprus and the Government of Greece,

Noting with appreciation the efforts of the Secretary-General, his Special Representative Elizabeth Spehar, and senior United Nations official Jane Holl Lute,

Adopted by the Security Council at its 8827th meeting, on 29 July 2021.