Press Releases

The Cyprus Government affirms that an understanding has been reached with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force concerning Pyla and the area north of Pyla (Plateau). The understanding was achieved after intense and extensive consultations between the Republic of Cyprus and the UN Peacekeeping Force, by Mr Tasos Tzionis, National Security Advisor, and Mr. Colin Stewart, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of the Peacekeeping Force of the United Nations in Cyprus.

The understanding includes provisions that:

Address the concerns of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the status of the buffer zone, which is safeguarded.

Restore order at the specific area of the buffer zone.

Provide for the urban and residential development of the area desired by the residents, for the benefit of all the residents of Pyla, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

Create conditions for creative and peaceful coexistence of the residents during a period when the resumption of talks for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem is being pursued.

The Cyprus Government, during all this consultation period, was in constant contact with the organised community of Pyla, which it thanks in particular for its constructive contribution during the consultations.

The Cyprus Government will work with sincere political will for the implementation of the provisions of the understanding. At the same time, the President of the Republic remains focused on the efforts for the resumption of the negotiations from where they were interrupted, with the aim to find a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the principles and values of the European Union.

(RM/IS)