United Nations Security Council Resolution 1117
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1117, adopted unanimously on June 27, 1997, after recalling all resolutions on Cyprus
, particularly resolutions 186
(1964), 939
(1994) and 1092
(1996), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
(UNFICYP) until December 31, 1997.
Cyprus agreed to a further extension of the UNFICYP peacekeeping
force. Meanwhile, the Council recognised that tensions remained high near the buffer zone
, although the number of serious incidents had decreased. Negotiations at a political resolution to the dispute were at an impasse for too long.
The two parties to the conflict, the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus, were reminded of their obligation to prevent violence against the peacekeepers. The resolution regretted that measures proposed by UNFICYP to reduce tension, as outlined in Resolution 1092, had not been accepted by either side. There was also concern about the strengthening of military weapons in southern Cyprus and the lack of progress in decreasing the number of foreign troops. In this regard, the Council urged the Republic of Cyprus to cut back on defence spending and withdraw foreign troops, with an overall view to demilitarising
the entire island. Accession talks with the European Union
would also help facilitate an overall settlement.
In Paragraph 13, the Resolution "welcomes the efforts of the United Nations and others concerned to promote the holding of bi-communal events so as to build trust and mutual respect between the two communities, urges that these efforts be continued, acknowledges the recent cooperation from all concerned on both sides to that end, and strongly encourages them to take further steps to facilitate such bi-communal events and to ensure that they take place in conditions of safety and security".
The resolution concluded by reiterating that the status quo was unacceptable and for negotiations to take place to find a solution, and directing the Secretary-General Kofi Annan
to report back to the Council by December 10, 1997 on the implementation of the current resolution.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1117, adopted unanimously on June 27, 1997, after recalling all resolutions on Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, particularly resolutions 186
United Nations Security Council Resolution 186
United Nations Security Council Resolution 186, adopted unanimously on March 4, 1964, calling on all Member States to conform to their obligations under the Charter, asked the Government of Cyprus to take all additional measures necessary to stop violence and bloodshed and called on communities in...
(1964), 939
United Nations Security Council Resolution 939
United Nations Security Council Resolution 939, adopted on July 29, 1994, after recalling all relevant resolutions on Cyprus, the Council discussed the implementation of confidence-building measures as part of a wider process to settle the Cyprus dispute....
(1994) and 1092
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1092
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1092, adopted unanimously on December 23, 1996, after recalling all resolutions on Cyprus, particularly resolutions 186 , 939 and 1062 , the Council expressed concern at the deterioration of the political dispute in Cyprus and extended the mandate of the...
(1996), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus was established in 1964 to prevent a recurrence of fighting between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and to contribute to the maintenance and restoration of law and order and a return to normal conditions...
(UNFICYP) until December 31, 1997.
Cyprus agreed to a further extension of the UNFICYP peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
force. Meanwhile, the Council recognised that tensions remained high near the buffer zone
United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus
The United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus runs for more than along what is known as the Green Line and has an area of . The zone partitions the island of Cyprus into a southern area effectively controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus , and the northern area...
, although the number of serious incidents had decreased. Negotiations at a political resolution to the dispute were at an impasse for too long.
The two parties to the conflict, the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus, were reminded of their obligation to prevent violence against the peacekeepers. The resolution regretted that measures proposed by UNFICYP to reduce tension, as outlined in Resolution 1092, had not been accepted by either side. There was also concern about the strengthening of military weapons in southern Cyprus and the lack of progress in decreasing the number of foreign troops. In this regard, the Council urged the Republic of Cyprus to cut back on defence spending and withdraw foreign troops, with an overall view to demilitarising
Demilitarisation
Demilitarisation or demilitarization is the reduction of a nation's army, weapons, or military vehicles to an agreed minimum. Demilitarisation is usually the result of a peace treaty ending a war or a major conflict....
the entire island. Accession talks with the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
would also help facilitate an overall settlement.
In Paragraph 13, the Resolution "welcomes the efforts of the United Nations and others concerned to promote the holding of bi-communal events so as to build trust and mutual respect between the two communities, urges that these efforts be continued, acknowledges the recent cooperation from all concerned on both sides to that end, and strongly encourages them to take further steps to facilitate such bi-communal events and to ensure that they take place in conditions of safety and security".
The resolution concluded by reiterating that the status quo was unacceptable and for negotiations to take place to find a solution, and directing the Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
to report back to the Council by December 10, 1997 on the implementation of the current resolution.
See also
- Cyprus disputeCyprus disputeThe Cyprus dispute is the result of the ongoing conflict between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, over the Turkish occupied northern part of Cyprus....
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1101 to 1200 (1997 – 1998)
- United Nations Buffer Zone in CyprusUnited Nations Buffer Zone in CyprusThe United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus runs for more than along what is known as the Green Line and has an area of . The zone partitions the island of Cyprus into a southern area effectively controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus , and the northern area...
- Turkish Invasion of CyprusTurkish invasion of CyprusThe Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...