The European Union condemns the assault on United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) peacekeepers by personnel from the Turkish Cypriot side this morning. We call on the Turkish Cypriot side to fully respect the mission’s mandated authority inside the UN buffer zone.

The recent unilateral steps with regard to the unauthorised construction work by the Turkish Cypriot side inside the UN buffer zone near Pyla/Pile, are a violation of the status quo that leads to escalation.

The EU calls for calm and stability in the area, as well as for the resumption of important work on a mutually agreeable way forward in the Pyla/Pile area.

Recalling the European Council Conclusions of June 2023, the EU remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded and the acquis.

For this settlement to be possible in the future, also in line with the Press Statement of the UN Security Council of 12 July 2023, it remains essential to avoid unilateral actions, including actions that violate the military status quo along the ceasefire lines or encroachment into the buffer zone.