Politis

France Believes UNIFCYP Mandate Renewal Will Be Straightforward

Published January 21, 2026, 19:18
France Believes UNIFCYP Mandate Renewal Will Be Straightforward

A French diplomatic source stated that the renewal of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) is expected to be "without major difficulties," emphasizing its importance in maintaining a stable environment on the island. The source referred to a "new political situation" due to the recent elections in the Turkish Cypriot community and assessed that the UN Secretary-General has the authority to seek progress in negotiations on the Cyprus issue. France considers the renewal of UNFICYP important and believes that the UN should seize the opportunity presented by the change of leadership in the Turkish Cypriot community to revitalize political dialogue between the two communities. It was noted that the resumption of Confidence-Building Measures facilitates talks. The French source expressed confidence that the new Turkish Cypriot leader appears more open to a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation solution, while the President of the Republic of Cyprus remains committed to reaching a solution. Therefore, the UN Secretary-General has the opportunity to promote a sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue. According to information, most members of the Security Council confirmed the critical role of UNFICYP and expressed satisfaction with the intensification of dialogue between the two sides. Some members also stressed the importance of avoiding unilateral actions.