United Nations Security Council Resolution 1604

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On June 15, 2005, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1604, which reaffirmed all previous resolutions related to the situation in Cyprus. The resolution extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for an additional period until December 15, 2005.

The council called upon both Cyprus and Northern Cyprus to urgently address the humanitarian issue of missing persons. It welcomed Secretary-General Kofi Annan's review of UNFICYP as requested in Resolution 1568 (2004), which assessed that violence on the island was unlikely, and his intention to keep the operation under review. The council also welcomed the lifting of restrictions imposed by Turkey on the freedom of movement of UNFICYP personnel, good cooperation from both sides, despite concerns regarding the level of crime across the ceasefire line.

The resolution requested the secretary-general to report to the council on the implementation of the current resolution and further endorsed UNFICYP's efforts to implement its sexual exploitation policy. It urged the Turkish Cypriot side to restore the military status quo at Strovilia prior to June 30, 2000. The council also welcomed the continued funding of United Nations operations by the governments of Cyprus and Greece.

The extension of UNFICYP's mandate was seen as a positive development in efforts to maintain stability on the island. However, concerns about crime across the ceasefire line remained, highlighting the need for sustained cooperation between both sides. Despite these challenges, the resolution marked an important step towards maintaining peace and security in Cyprus.

Background

The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) was established in 1964 to maintain stability on the island following a period of conflict between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. The force has been instrumental in preventing violence and promoting cooperation between both sides, despite ongoing disputes over issues such as territory and resources.

Impact

Resolution 1604 marked an important milestone in efforts to address humanitarian concerns related to missing persons on the island. By calling upon both Cyprus and Northern Cyprus to urgently address this issue, the council highlighted the need for sustained cooperation and dialogue between both sides. The resolution also underscored the importance of continued funding from governments such as Greece, which has been a key supporter of UNFICYP operations.

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