UNITED NATIONS, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday renewed the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for six months to Jan. 31, 2018.
In a resolution adopted unanimously, the 15-member body also requested the UN secretary-general to conduct a strategic review of the UNFICYP and report back within four months.
Welcoming the progress made in the Cyprus peace process since February 2014 and noting the failure of the recent Conference on Cyprus, the council encouraged the two sides and all involved participants to sustain their commitment and reach a settlement under UN auspices.
Despite hopes for a comprehensive settlement, the UN-facilitated conference held from June 28 to July 7 in the Swiss town of Crans-Montana concluded without an agreement.
After independence in 1960, the tensions between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots increased. UNFICYP was originally set up by the UN Security Council in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the two sides.
Turkish troops occupied the northern part of Cyprus in 1974 in reaction to a coup by the military rulers of Greece at the time.
Since then, the small Mediterranean island has been divided into two.The southern Greek Cypriot side is recognized by the international community and is a member of the European Union; only Turkey officially recognizes the break-away northern region.
