The Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the United Nations on Thursday, stating that its decision to extend the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) was taken without the consent of the Turkish Cypriot side.

He said that the decision deeply hurt the UN’s reputation and raised questions about its presence in the TRNC.

A statement issued by the foreign ministry said that the UN by extending UNFICYP’s mandate without the need to seek the consent of the TRNC had violated its own principles and rules.

“UNFICYP is able to carry out its operations within the borders of the TRNC with our goodwill. A legal agreement between the TRNC and the UN is needed for the continuation of UNFICYP’s operations and presence. Since we have failed to receive a response on this issue, we are left with no other option but to take necessary steps,” the foreign ministry statement read.

It also said that attempts by the UN to impose the “bicommunal, bizonal federal” settlement model which has lost all its validity and has been exhausted was unacceptable.

The statement pointed out that such an approach only served to support the Greek Cypriot side’s policy which aimed to confine the Turkish Cypriot people to open-ended processes and a life in isolation from the international community.

It added that the UN Security Council’s (UNSC) preconceived opinion regarding a settlement in Cyprus was preventing a discussion of out-of-the box ideas and free negotiations to reach a solution to the Cyprus Problem.

“This approach serves to deepen the gap between the two sides rather than bring them closer together,” the statement said.

Regarding the issue of Maraş, the TRNC Foreign Ministry said that the decisions adopted on the fenced-off town were within the framework of international law and in respect of property rights.

“Once again we would like to point out that the aim of the TRNC’s decision on Maraş is to allow Greek Cypriots to file their property claims with the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) set up in line with rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and to reach solutions, including the return of properties in question. Nevertheless unnecessary references have been made on the issue in the UN Security Council’s resolution,” it said.

The statement added that the references proved that the UN Security Council did not respect property rights and pursued a political approach to the issue.

Regarding the issue of hydrocarbons, the foreign ministry reminded that the tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean were the result of the continuation of the Greek Cypriot side’s unilateral and illegal activities.

It added that the heavy weapon positions set up along the border by the Greek Cypriot side, its ongoing armament campaign and military exercises conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean were just some examples of its policy to raise tensions in the region.

“It is also clear that the unilateral hydrocarbon activities it is pursuing over the island’s natural resources which the Turkish Cypriot people have equal rights over threatens peace and stability in Cyprus,” it said.

The statement added that the UN Security Council’s failure to condemn the Greek Cypriot side’s provocative actions was also unacceptable for the Turkish Cypriot side.

“The Security Council’s biased stance only serves to further encourage the Greek Cypriot side’s actions aimed at usurping the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people. The council needs to stop treating the Greek Cypriot administration as the sole legitimate representative of the island and acknowledge the reality that there are two sovereign states and peoples in Cyprus,” the foreign ministry statement concluded.