Filenews 6 January 2026
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recommends the renewal of the UNFICYP mission for another 12 months, until January 31, 2027, in his Remarks on the UNFICYP report, while expressing concern about "violations after the construction of military facilities" in and around the buffer zone, which, as he notes, "seek to permanently change the military status quo", but also for the situation in the fenced area of Varosha.
Mr. Guterres notes a new, albeit "cautious", dynamic in the Cyprus problem, in his Remarks on the situation in Cyprus, noting that the assumption of office by the new Turkish Cypriot leader and the strengthening of engagement between the leaders "rekindled a new hope for a window of opportunity in order to move the Cyprus problem forward". The UN Secretary-General appears encouraged by the fact that, in the last year, "there have been no serious incidents within the buffer zone" and that the sides "have shown restraint from major unilateral actions".
Despite this positive climate, it notes a lack of substantial progress on de-escalation, noting that "no progress has been made to decongest the increasing military upgrade along the ceasefire lines".
It expresses strong concern about "violations after the construction of military facilities" in and around the buffer zone, which, as it notes, "seek to permanently change the military status quo".
During the period considered, there was a slowdown in the installation of surveillance systems in the buffer zone, as the projects are nearing completion. Nevertheless, UNFICYP continues to consider them a serious concern due to a destabilising risk. The National Guard marginally increased the number of devices, while the occupying Turkish forces proceeded with new towers and devices, while recording other unauthorized constructions.
Particular reference is made to the practice of "deliberately blurring the distinction between military and civilian", by hiding military positions in civilian structures, which "raises serious concerns".
UNFICYP continues to play a key role in maintaining stability. Guterres stressed that the Mission "plays an essential role in de-escalating low-level tensions and safeguarding the integrity of the buffer zone", but warned that its effectiveness remains limited "without the full cooperation of both sides". It recalls that it is up to the sides to "respect the integrity of the buffer zone and prevent unauthorized military and civilian activities."
A negative assessment is also made of the continued stagnation on the issue of the Pyla plateau, with the Secretary General noting that the "continued suspension of the implementation of the agreement does not contribute to stability" and calling on the sides to cooperate with UNFICYP to "find a way that will lead to progress".
Particular emphasis is placed on unilateral actions that may rekindle tensions. Mr. Guterres reiterates his "concern about the situation in the fenced area of Varosha" and the "non-response to the Security Council's call for a reversal of actions" after the 2020 opening, recalling that the UN's position, based on resolutions 550 and 789, "remains unchanged". It also condemns UNFICYP's restrictions on freedom of movement in Varosha, Strovilia and elsewhere.
In light of UNFICYP's "continued contribution to peace and stability", the Secretary-General recommends to the Security Council the renewal of the Mission's mandate for another 12 months, until 31 January 2027. At the same time, it expresses its thanks to its new Special Representative and Head of UNFICYP, Hashim Dian, for his "dedicated leadership", as well as to all the staff of the Mission for his "firm commitment to the cause of peace on the island".
The Report in detail
A significant increase in political mobility, along with the continuation of worrying militarisation trends in and around the buffer zone, is recorded in the UN Secretary-General's Report on the Cyprus Peacekeeping Force (UNFICYP), which covers the period from 12 June to 15 December 2025.
The Report reflects, on the one hand, enhanced dialogue and new Confidence-Building Measures and, on the other hand, ongoing military violations, restrictions on the Mission's freedom of movement and serious repercussions from the fiscal crisis at the UN.
In the political field, the Report notes "the existence of an intensified dialogue in the peace process" during the period under review. In July 2025, the Secretary-General convened an informal meeting in New York in an expanded format, with the participation of the two leaders and guarantor powers of Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The sides took stock of the six confidence initiatives agreed in March, including the establishment of a Technical Commission for Youth, actions on the environment and climate change, the rehabilitation of cemeteries, the opening of four crossing points, demining and the utilization of solar energy in the buffer zone. At the same time, four additional initiatives were agreed, such as the creation of an advisory body for the involvement of civil society and the monitoring of air quality.
The assumption of office by the new Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhurman, on October 24, 2025, following the elections of October 19, 2025, is also considered decisive. He had successive meetings with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, in November and December 2025, under the auspices of the United Nations, a fact that is reflected in the Report as an element of enhanced involvement of the leaderships.
At the operational level, UNFICYP maintained an extensive presence in the buffer zone, conducting "more than 15,000 military and police ground patrols," as well as aerial patrols, aimed at monitoring ceasefire lines and maintaining the military status quo. The Mission also continued to manage political activities in the buffer zone and to support contact between the two communities.
However, the Report points out that UNFICYP has been forced to operate under strict constraints due to the ongoing liquidity crisis at the United Nations. As part of emergency measures, the Mission reduced its military force by 60 people, "froze" the deployment of five police personnel posts and kept 13 civilian posts vacant. As a result, only 20% of planned helicopter patrols were carried out in the September-November period, while "inter-community confidence-building programmes were delayed or cancelled", with October recording a "57% decrease in inter-community activities" compared to 2024.
As far as security is concerned, the Report speaks of the continuation of military violations by both sides. As of November 30, 20205, 146 violations were recorded, of which 112 were attributed to Turkish forces and 34 to the National Guard. Of particular concern is the "deliberate and long-term military investment along the buffer zone", as well as the installation of surveillance systems, towers and cameras, which, according to the Report, have a "potentially destabilising effect".
A slight slowdown in the installation of military-grade surveillance systems (camera/sensor towers) along the buffer zone was observed during the period under review, probably due to the near-completion of the works on both sides. However, these systems remain a major concern for UNFICYP, due to their potentially destabilising impact. By November 30, the National Guard added three new cameras/sensor devices, bringing the total to 28 devices across 34 surveillance towers. The Turkish Forces erected two new surveillance towers and installed six new devices, bringing the total to 64 towers and 66 devices. Other types of unauthorised constructions were also observed during the current reporting period.
The situation on the Pyla plateau is described as "stable", with a decrease in the entries of the "Turkish Cypriot police" for the second consecutive period. Nevertheless, the implementation of the agreement on settlements in the region, which has been suspended since November 2023, "remains a challenge without an agreed path forward".
Particular reference is made to Varosha, where "no measures were taken" to reverse the actions after 2020, as requested by the Security Council. UNFICYP has documented facility renovation work, increased traffic and sustained military violations, while the Mission's access to the area remains "significantly limited." The UN, according to the Report, "continues to hold the government of Turkey responsible for the situation in Varosha".
In the field of inter-communal relations, UNFICYP facilitated 163 activities, of which 30 were inter-communal, involving almost 3,000 people. Actions focusing on youth, cultural cooperation and local entrepreneurship stand out, as well as the increase in inter-communal involvement in Pyla, which is characterized as an "encouraging sign of renewed cooperation".
During the reporting period, UNFICYP facilitated extensive cross-communal activity, with dozens of events and thousands of participants, mainly in the buffer zone and at Ledra Palace. Particular emphasis was placed on youth, with new intercommunal schemes, workshops and innovative cultural initiatives that combined tradition and sustainability. At the same time, local and political contacts between the two communities were strengthened, with intercommunal events in Nicosia, increased cooperation in Pyla and regular dialogue between political parties under international auspices.
The Report also covers humanitarian issues, the facilitation of religious events, the education of the enclaved and travel through crossing points, while recording a decrease in asylum applications in 2025 and progress in the management of pending issues.
Important reference is made to the work of the Committee on Missing Persons, which since 2006 has located or identified the remains of 1,713 persons.
On July 7, 2025, the CMP held a public event to present its new strategy for the period 2025–2030. The event was attended by organizations of families of missing persons from both Cypriot communities, as well as representatives of the diplomatic community. On 11 December, the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities visited the CMP's anthropological laboratory. They expressed their appreciation for the Commission's effective humanitarian work and underlined the vital importance of keeping it free from political interference. At the same time, they appealed to anyone with information about possible landfills to share it with the CMP, assuring that the principle of confidentiality will be strictly observed.
UNFICYP also continued its efforts to ensure strict adherence to the United Nations zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse. In close coordination with the Regional Department of Conduct and Discipline based in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, the Mission implemented prevention, enforcement and corrective actions related to cases of misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse, fraud and prohibited practices in the workplace. The Mission did not receive any complaints of sexual exploitation and/or abuse. However, one complaint of sexual harassment and four complaints of possible cases of unsatisfactory behaviour were recorded, which are being thoroughly investigated.
