Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 26
26
Accepted
Uphold commitment to resolving Cyprus stalemate, utilising penholder and Treaty of Guarantee roles.
Recommendation
The UK should continue to uphold its commitment to the resolution of the stalemate in Cyprus, utilising jointly its role as penholder and as one of the parties to the Treaty of Guarantee. The Government should detail in its response to this report what steps it is taking to ensure Cyprus remains a primary agenda item at the United Nations Security Council and outline how this work is aligned with ongoing policy on Cyprus at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. (Recommendation, Paragraph 91)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and outlines its actions as penholder and Guarantor Power, including leading the unanimous renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate, supporting UN-led settlement efforts, and actively engaging all parties to encourage a return to formal talks.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Agree. 38. Cyprus is an example of the UN acting effectively, with the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) having been in place as a stabilising force for over 60 years. HMG was pleased to have led the unanimous renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate in January 2025, maintaining the UN Security Council’s longstanding unity on the Cyprus file. As a Guarantor Power, leading troop contributor to UNFICYP, and a friend to all parties, the UK continues to support UN-led efforts to pursue a lasting settlement to improve the lives of all Cypriots. We are fully supportive of, and engaged with, the UN Secretary-General’s leadership in reinvigorating the settlement process, in convening the informal 5+1 meetings between Guarantor Powers and Cypriot communities as well as appointing a personal envoy. We are actively engaging all sides to encourage the flexibility required to return to formal talks. We continue to believe that the existing UN parameters of a Bi-zonal, Bi-communal Federation (BBF) with political equality are sufficiently flexible to facilitate an agreement which addresses the priorities of both sides. Ultimately, however, it is for the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to decide on the details of a Settlement.