Costas Venizelos
The occupation regime is reiterating its call for the United Nations to enter into a separate agreement on the status of the peacekeeping force operating in the occupied territories. The occupying regime is asking the United Nations to enter into an agreement on the status of the UNFICYP forces, which will be “hosted” in the occupied territories, citing international practice (SOFA-A status of forces agreement).
As we are informed in this regard, the Turkish side also refers to the fact that it seeks the consent for the appointment of a special envoy for the Cyprus issue, considering this as a precedent. It is obvious that it “invests” in the fact that it can restrict the movements of UNFICYP and make its work more difficult. Something that, according to informed sources, is already doing so. UN forces are being asked to seek permission to move into the occupied territories.
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The information states that, among other things, occupying Turkey, as part of its tactics to put pressure on the Peacekeeping Force, is creating a suffocating circle around its activity in the occupied territories.
First, UNFICYP is pushing for the “Stefanik” camp in Karaolos, in the Famagusta area, to be abandoned, in order to use the land for “development purposes”. This camp is used by the Slovak detachment. They are pressuring the Force to leave the camp in Lefka, which is used by the Argentine detachment. If UNFICYP does not withstand the pressure and leaves the camps, then it will not be able to operate, to fulfill its mission in the area. So far it seems that she is determined not to give up.
Second, there is an attempt to expel a peacekeeper in Strovilia, who carries out three patrols a day accompanied by two Turkish soldiers. They are already invoking the maintenance of an observatory building, for the temporary removal of the Peacemaker, which will then become permanent.
Third, the Peacekeeping Force's attempt to maintain old observatories, located in the enclosed area of occupied Famagusta, clashed with the refusal of the occupying forces. They blocked any UN action in this direction and the works did not start. The argument of the Turks was that UNFICYP was not entitled to do this, while it was clear that what prevented it was the future manning of the observatories by the Force.
It is recalled in this regard that the Turkish side had submitted to the United Nations, in connection with this intention, a document on 31 January 2019 with an explanatory letter from the representative of the pseudo-state. The document, which took the form of discussion points, states that the Turkish Cypriot side has repeatedly noted the need to conclude a formal agreement / framework, which regulates and defines the relationship between UNFICYP and our “Authorities”.
This could take the form of SOFA or other mutually acceptable form, provided that it is achieved with the consent of UNFICYP and the “Turkish Cypriot competent authorities” (Talking points on the extension of the mandate of UNFICYP by the Security Council – January 2019). It appears from the document that the aim is to upgrade the pseudo-state as a separate entity. Attempts are being made to make the occupation regime the official interlocutor of international organizations, such as the UN. This is what Ankara believes can be done if the Turkish Cypriot side gives its consent for the renewal of UNFICYP's term of office. In relation to UNFICYP, the occupying regime demands the change of its mission and its transformation from military to police.
The Turkish side does not consider UNFICYP's military presence necessary and that the withdrawal of the military force will also serve as a good example of a military confidence-building measure (MOE), for which the UN attaches the utmost importance and priority. This would also be in line with the envisaged role of UNFICYP in the context of planning its evolution after a settlement of the Cyprus problem “.
The UN stance is clear
The United Nations is clear about the demands of occupied Turkey. The Turkish requirement is not legally covered and the Secretariat of the International Organization in New York considers that it is out of the question. Obviously, this position has also been transmitted to the Turkish side. But why does Ankara insist? It is clear that the Turkish insistence is linked to its tactics that with the pressure, the problems in the distribution of UNFICYP in the occupied territories, Ankara will win part of its claims or will be satisfied in another of its demands.
In the meantime, on January 3, the report of the General Secretary for UNFICYP is expected to be released. It is noted in this regard that the draft of the exhibition was prepared by Elizabeth Spehar before her departure from Cyprus. The new UN envoy to Cyprus, Colin Stewart, will brief the UN Security Council on January 17 on the report and the situation on the island, while the resolution on the renewal of UNFICYP's term of office is expected to be adopted ten days later.
It is clear from both the report and the resolution that the United Nations will show its intentions regarding the way the Force operates. It is noted that they may not agree with the Turkish demand for a separate UN-occupation agreement, but as is well known, they support the creation of a problem-solving mechanism between the “two sides”. A proposal, which has not been abandoned by the UN, although it has been suggested by Nicosia, that such a formula carries risks of upgrading the occupation regime. This is an approach that refers to the cooperation of “two entities”. It moves, that is, in Turkish logic.
Meeting for Famagusta
The issue of Famagusta in relation to the possibility of a 5th Transnational Action was discussed at a meeting last week, under the President of the Republic. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulidis, the Attorney General and members of the negotiating team. Various scenarios were discussed, as well as the possibilities that exist regarding legal measures against occupying Turkey. The appeal was decided, however, considering the possibilities and effectiveness in view of the fact that this is a time-consuming process.
Invitation to Ankara for demarcation of maritime borders
Nicosia's attention is also focused on the Turkish actions in UNFICYP in view of the resumption of drilling in the Cypriot EEZ. At the diplomatic level, the Republic of Cyprus continues its efforts to repel the Turkish methods, making suggestions. In a letter of the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations, Ambassador Andreas Hadjichrysanthou, dated December 14, 2021, the Turkish aggression and expansionism in the Cypriot EEZ is denounced.
The letter of the Cypriot ambassador is a response to the one sent by the Turkish Permanent Representative, F. Sinirioglou, dated November 18, 2021. The Nicosia proposal for delimitation of maritime borders is recorded again: “Cyprus reiterates on its behalf once again its invitation to Turkey to enter into negotiations for this purpose, or alternatively, to reach a special agreement (compromis) for the joint submission of the matter to the International Court of Justice for the determination of a definite sea limit delimiting the continental shelf / Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus “Turkey, in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.”
