S/PV.6339 Security Council

Having voted against the draft resolution today, I would like to briefly share with the Council the reasons that compelled us to do so. Turkey’s persistent objection has always been to the method through which these resolutions have been adopted and to the language they have contained. Since the adoption of resolution 186 (1964), which set up the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), all Council resolutions extending the mandate of the Force are unfortunately still being formulated as if there were only one side on the island. We all know that, since 1963, there has not been a joint and constitutional Government representing the whole of Cyprus. Considering the Greek Cypriot Government to be the Government of the whole island has been the main obstacle in the way to finding a just, lasting and comprehensive solution for over 46 years. Therefore, the open consent of the two parties on the island should have been sought. We wanted this situation to be corrected in today’s resolution. Yet, we see once again that that did not happen. We welcome the elements concerning the Secretary-General’s good offices mission contained in today’s resolution. Despite misquotations, such as that in the sixth preambular paragraph, where the phrase “if possible” has been added to the wording of the original statement made by the two leaders on the island on 21 December 2009, we believe that the resolution still carries the right messages. Above all, it confirms the common expectation that 2010 will be the year of a solution consistent with the hope expressed by the two leaders and shared by the Secretary-General and most, if not all, of the international community. I would like to reaffirm that the Turkish side has implemented and will continue to implement the provisions of this and related resolutions. We believe that achieving a mutually acceptable and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem within established United Nations parameters, which will safeguard the fundamental and legitimate rights and interests of the two peoples on the island, is possible and within reach. Therefore, Turkey will continue to fully support the Secretary-General’s efforts and cooperate with UNFICYP.

The Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.