Slovenia supports an extension of the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus and intends to contribute up to 15 troops, Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said on Friday at a joint press conference with her Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos.
As reported by the Slovenian Press Agency, and in relation to the UN Security Council’s vote by the end of the month on the extension UNFICYP’s mandate, which expires at the end of January, Fajon expressed confidence that the Security Council will support the extension, while confirming Slovenia’s intention to participate more actively in the mission and to send up to 15 troops to Cyprus.
It is also noted that Kombos stressed the need to resolve the Cyprus issue as soon as possible, but strictly on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions and in accordance with international law, and in this context, both Ministers welcomed the recent appointment of a new personal envoy of the UN secretary-general for Cyprus.
Touching on topical foreign policy issues, it is s
tated that Fajon said they “devoted a lot of attention to the situation and the war in Gaza”, discussing “how to achieve a lasting ceasefire and how to provide humanitarian aid to people who are suffering.”
She also highlighted the worrying situation in the West Bank and the violence of Israeli settlers and called for a political solution to the Middle East conflict, a two-state solution.
Kombos explained that Cyprus, as a regional actor, was working to establish a maritime humanitarian corridor to deliver aid to the affected population in Gaza.
It is added that the two Ministers also discussed the situation in Ukraine and the Western Balkans, stressing the need to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and help the countries of the Western Balkans on their path towards EU accession.
Kombos and Fajon also discussed bilateral cooperation and both mentioned the possibility of an agreement with Cyprus Airways to establish a regular air link with Slovenia, which would help strengt
hen business and economic cooperation, the Slovenian minister said.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue.
Source: Cyprus News Agency