Government condemns ‘violations’ in Pyla buffer zone as Unficyp rejects north claims

The government condemned what it described as “serious violations by the occupation regime in the buffer zone” in the Pyla area, saying it is in constant communication with Unficyp and taking all necessary diplomatic steps both in Cyprus and in New York to prevent further actions.

Presidential press office director Victor Papadopoulos said the response followed a Unficyp announcement regarding the “unauthorised entry of Turkish Cypriot security personnel” into the buffer zone.

Asked whether the developments affect efforts to resume talks on the Cyprus problem, Papadopoulos said they “certainly undermine” the process, adding that the issue will be discussed at the next meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman.

He expressed the government’s “deep concern and disappointment” over what he described as “an escalating stance by occupation forces” within the buffer zone “at a critical geopolitical juncture”, adding that the actions violate United Nations Security Council resolutions, increase tensions, and undermine efforts by the UN Secretary-General to restart negotiations and build confidence.

UN peacekeepers were on the ground in Pyla on Tuesday, with patrols intensified in the area.

The remarks come after the north’s ‘foreign ministry’ described Unficyp’s position as “unacceptable”, insisting the area in question “is not in the buffer zone but lies entirely within the territory and under the sovereignty of the TRNC”.

“With this statement, Unficyp has once again clearly demonstrated that it has deviated from the principle of impartiality. This stance, which targets the Turkish Cypriot side with unfounded accusations, does not help restore the institution’s tarnished reputation among Turkish Cypriots,” it said.

In a statement to the Cyprus Mail, Unficyp spokesperson Siddique Aleem said the mission “stands by what has been said” and reiterated that any unauthorised presence or activity within the buffer zone constitutes a violation of its mandate.

In its earlier statement Unficyp said it has increased patrols and maintained a visible presence in the Pyla area following the observation of unauthorised entry by Turkish Cypriot security personnel into the buffer zone, stressing that they are closely monitoring the situation on the Pyla plateau. “Respect for the mission’s mandate is essential to maintaining stability in this sensitive area,” Unficyp said in the press release.

The ‘foreign ministry’ also condemned the position of the United Nations regarding an alleged attack against Turkish Cypriots, which it said took place on the anniversary of the start of the liberation struggle of Eoka, arguing that “explicit reference to the identity of the perpetrators was avoided” and that “categorical and biased language was adopted regarding the Turkish Cypriot side”.

It further called on Unficyp to “respect its mandate and authority”, claiming the mission operates in the north with its goodwill, and stressing that “respect is mutual”.

“In this context, it is now an inevitable necessity for the model of relations maintained by Unficyp with the Greek Cypriot side, based on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), to also be established with our country on a lawful and equal basis,” it said.