S/PV.8014 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2017/636, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2017/586, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations operation in Cyprus. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I should like to inform the Council that the presidency of the Council has met with the representatives of the parties, who have confirmed that they maintain their well-known positions vis-à-vis the item on the Council’s agenda. On the basis of those meetings, with the consent of the members of the Council, the presidency has drawn the conclusion that the Council can proceed to take a decision on the draft resolution before it. If I hear no objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2369 (2017). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements following the voting.

My delegation voted in favour of resolution 2369 (2017). I should like to make the following points. First, Egypt reaffirms its principled position with regard to the question of Cyprus. We call on all parties to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus as an independent and fully sovereign State. We commend the efforts of His Excellency President Anastasiades, including his proposals to pursue negotiations on a sound basis. We stress the great importance of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and urge its continued role in maintaining calm and creating a safe environment in Cyprus, while at the same time ensuring communication between the parties and seeking to relaunch negotiations. The mission should also continue its role as mediator and facilitator. We express our regret about the outcome of the conference on Cyprus. We call for resuming negotiations in order to achieve a just and comprehensive settlement of this issue. Secondly, Cyprus is a friendly neighbouring country with which we have economic, political, cultural and historical ties. We attach great importance and attention to the question of Cyprus. We look forward to achieving a just and comprehensive settlement of this issue. We emphasize the need to uphold the principles of transparency and inclusiveness by all members of the Security Council in objectively negotiating all relevant draft resolutions.