S/PV.6445 Security Council

There were 14 votes in favour and one against. The draft resolution has been adopted as resolution 1953 (2010). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

I would like to briefly share with the Council the reasons that compelled us to vote against resolution 1953 (2010) today. 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 drafted as if there were only one side on the island. There has not been a joint and constitutional Government representing the whole of Cyprus since 1963. Treating the Greek Cypriot Government as 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. For all those years, Turkey has stressed that the consent and cooperation of the two sides are backdrop principles for the success of the peacekeeping operation. Unfortunately, this erroneous practice has been corrected neither in the previous resolutions nor in today’s. Although the resolution contains some elements that encourage increased momentum in the negotiations, it is short of reflecting the observations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on his mission of good offices (S/2010/603), in which he underlines, inter alia, that the talks cannot be an open- ended process and that a critical window of opportunity is rapidly closing. We believe that the resolution should have carried a stronger message to that end. That also applies to the support given to the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General, Mr. Alexander Downer. We believe that, by only welcoming his efforts, the Security Council has not rendered its full support to Mr. Downer at this very critical juncture in the negotiating process. We welcome the Secretary-General’s determination to keep UNFICYP under close review and to work on contingency planning. However, his intention to conduct a broader assessment, which he strongly emphasizes in both his reports, unfortunately is not in any way reflected in the resolution. That is yet another important shortcoming as far as the resolution is concerned. I would like to reaffirm that the Turkish side has implemented and will continue to implement the provisions of the relevant resolutions. We believe that achieving a mutually acceptable and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem within the established United Nations parameters, which will safeguard the fundamental and legitimate rights and interests of two peoples on the island, is possible and within reach. The parameters of a solution in Cyprus are known. There is a substantial body of work. Turkey sincerely hopes that the two sides will show the necessary political will to bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion. In that respect, Turkey will continue to fully support the Secretary-General in his efforts and to cooperate with UNFICYP.

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