UN Renews Mandate Of Peacekeeping Force In Cyprus

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday renewed the mandate of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for another six months.

Council President Ronaldo Costa Filho of Brazil said; "The draft resolution received 15 votes in favor.

"The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2646.

"The resolution extends the UNFICYP's mandate until Jan. 31, 2023."

The UNFICYP, one of the U.N.'s longest-running peacekeeping missions, has been stationed since 1964, with its mandate being extended every six months.

Cyprus has seen an on-and-off peace process in recent years, including the collapse of a 2017 initiative in Switzerland under the auspices of guarantor countries Turkey, Greece and the United Kingdom.

In response, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the resolution ignores the Turkish Cypriot people and their inherent rights, and also disregards inhumane and unlawful isolations imposed upon them.

Following the voting at the UNSC, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said the will and sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people have been ignored and the consent of the Turkish Cypriot side has not been obtained for the extension of the mandate.