Turkey criticizes UN for not taking consent of Turkish Cyprus on mission extension

The UN Security Council on Thursday renewed the mandate for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until July 31, 2022, but expressed serious concern about several issues, including the continued violations of the military status quo along the ceasefire lines.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2618, the council called on the leaders of the two Cypriot communities and all involved parties to refrain from any actions and rhetoric that might damage the settlement process and that could raise tensions on the island.

Turkey on Friday said that despite all calls and warnings, the United Nations Security Council extended the mandate of the U.N. Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) without the consent of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) once again, contrary to U.N. rules and principles.

Cyprus has been mired in a decadeslong dispute between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, despite a series of diplomatic efforts by the U.N. to achieve a comprehensive settlement.