S/RES/1818 (2008)
Security Council Distr.: General
13 June 2008
08-38114 (E)
*0838114*
Resolution 1818 (2008)
Adopted by the Security Council at its 5911th meeting,
on 13 June 2008
The Security Council,
Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 2 June 2008 (S/2008/353) on
the United Nations operation in Cyprus,
Noting that the Government of Cyprus is agreed that in view of the prevailing
conditions on the island it is necessary to keep UNFICYP beyond 15 June 2008,
Echoing the Secretary-General’s firm belief that the responsibility of finding a
solution lies first and foremost with the Cypriots themselves, that there now exists
an important window of opportunity to make decisive progress which must be fully
utilized by all parties in the search for a comprehensive solution, and noting the
primary role of the United Nations in assisting the parties to bring the Cyprus
conflict and division of the island to a comprehensive and durable settlement,
Welcoming the agreement of 21 March and the Joint Statement of 23 May 2008
which, inter alia, have demonstrated a renewed political willingness to support and
engage fully and in good faith with the United Nations efforts, reaffirmed the
commitment of the leaders to a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political
equality, as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions, and to consider
further civilian and military confidence-building measures,
Welcoming the opening of the Ledra Street crossing which has helped foster
greater trust and interaction between the two communities; reaffirming the
importance of continued crossings of the Green Line by Cypriots, and encouraging
the opening of other crossing points,
Welcoming the intention of the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Adviser
at the appropriate time and to keep the Council informed of further developments
and progress,
Taking note of the assessment of the Secretary-General that the security
situation on the island and along the Green Line remains generally stable,
welcoming the decrease in the overall number of incidents involving the two sides,
and urging both sides to avoid any action, including restrictions on UNFICYP’s
movements, which could lead to an increase in tension,
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Welcoming the coordination arrangements agreed with the United Nations to
address unauthorized construction within the buffer zone, including large-scale
commercial projects, and echoing the Secretary-General’s firm belief that the
situation in the buffer zone would be improved if both sides accepted the 1989 aidememoire
used by the United Nations,
Welcoming the agreement with the Turkish forces to proceed with demining
activities, but urging that further guidelines be agreed to permit such activities to
take place in all outstanding minefields; noting with concern that funding for the
Mine Action Centre beyond 2008 has not yet been secured but that this work will
need to continue beyond that period,
Welcoming the progress and continuation of the important activities of the
Committee on Missing Persons; expressing the hope that this process will promote
reconciliation between the communities,
Agreeing that an active and flourishing civil society is essential to the political
process and welcoming all efforts to promote bicommunal contacts and events,
including, inter alia, on the part of all United Nations bodies on the island, and
urging the two sides to promote the active engagement of civil society and the
encouragement of cooperation between economic and commercial bodies and to
remove all obstacles to such contacts,
Reaffirming the importance of the Secretary-General continuing to keep the
operations of UNFICYP under close review while continuing to take into account
developments on the ground and the views of the parties, and reverting to the
Council with recommendations as appropriate for further adjustments to
UNFICYP’s mandate, force levels and concept of operation as soon as warranted,
Welcoming the appointment of Tayé-Brook Zerihoun as the Secretary-
General’s new Special Representative to Cyprus, and echoing the Secretary-
General’s appreciation for the work of the previous Special Representative, Michael
Moller,
Echoing also the Secretary-General’s gratitude to the Government of Cyprus
and the Government of Greece for their voluntary contributions to the funding of
UNFICYP, and his request for further voluntary contributions from other countries
and organizations,
Welcoming and encouraging efforts by the United Nations to sensitize
peacekeeping personnel in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other
communicable diseases in all its peacekeeping operations,
1. Welcomes the analysis of developments on the ground over the last six
months in the Secretary-General’s report;
2. Urges the parties to build on the present momentum and continue their
efforts to identify to the greatest possible extent areas of convergence and
disagreement, while preparing options where feasible on the more sensitive
elements, and to work to ensure that fully fledged negotiations can begin
expeditiously and smoothly, in line with the agreement of 21 March and the Joint
Statement of 23 May;
3. Reaffirms all its relevant resolutions on Cyprus, in particular resolution
1251 (1999) of 29 June 1999 and subsequent resolutions;
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4. Expresses its full support for UNFICYP and decides to extend its
mandate for a further period ending 15 December 2008;
5. Calls on both sides to continue to engage, as a matter of urgency and
while respecting UNFICYP’s mandate, in consultations with UNFICYP on the
demarcation of the buffer zone, and on the United Nations 1989 aide-memoire, with
a view to reaching early agreement on outstanding issues;
6. Calls on the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkish forces to restore in
Strovilia the military status quo which existed there prior to 30 June 2000;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on implementation of
this resolution by 1 December 2008 and to keep the Security Council updated on
events as necessary;
8. Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by UNFICYP to implement the
Secretary-General’s zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to
ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct,
requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard
and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to
take appropriate preventive action including the conduct of pre-deployment
awareness training, and to take disciplinary action and other action to ensure full
accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel;
9. Decides to remain seized of the matter.