UN Special Representative Colin Stewart presented his final briefing to the UN Security Council on Monday afternoon regarding peacekeeping activities in Cyprus, concluding his tenure amid sharp criticism from Nicosia over his approach to violations by both sides.
The closed Security Council session at 5pm Cyprus time (10am New York time) marked Stewart’s last appearance before the 15-member body, which he briefed on the island’s situation. Pakistan currently holds the rotating Security Council presidency, with Greece serving as a non-permanent member.
Stewart submitted two reports to UN Secretary-General António Guterres covering UN peacekeeping force activities and Good Offices efforts on the Cyprus problem. The reports document ongoing violations in and near the buffer zone whilst maintaining what Cyprus characterises as problematic neutrality.
On Monday (14 July), #UNSC members will receive a briefing in closed consultations on Cyprus.
— Security Council Report (@SCRtweets) July 11, 2025
◻️ Briefer: SRSG and Head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (@UN_CYPRUS) Colin Stewart
→ Background: https://t.co/pYS5JZATRC pic.twitter.com/d9CndiUdwr
Cyprus’ Foreign Ministry expressed disappointment Saturday with Stewart’s report, stating his “chronic tendency to maintain equal distances may unfortunately lead to impressions of equating incidents of dissimilar nature and gravity.” The ministry specifically criticised what it termed equating “serious Turkish military violations” with “lawful activities of citizens within the dead zone.”
According to Nicosia’s assessment, Stewart’s reports downplay Turkish violations whilst magnifying actions by Republic of Cyprus authorities. The ministry expressed particular frustration that the peacekeeping report failed to document “continued strengthening and upgrading of occupation forces in the controlled areas.”
The Foreign Ministry acknowledged that Stewart’s UNFICYP report documents renewed occupation army violations in the dead zone aimed at “undermining the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and imposing new fait accompli on the ground.”
Stewart recently indicated both Cypriot leaders remained committed to an anticipated 5+1 meeting in New York, stating: “I am very pleased to note that both leaders are committed to the 5+1 meeting, which is expected to happen in New York in the coming weeks, and both of them want to see some tangible achievements and some progress in this meeting.”
Following the New York briefings and informal five-party farewell meetings, Stewart will return to Cyprus for departure ceremonies before leaving the island on 7 August.
UN consultations for Stewart’s replacement are expected to begin after summer, requiring agreement from both Cypriot sides. The special representative simultaneously serves as political head of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus.
The international organisation will likely await Stewart’s complete tenure conclusion before initiating successor negotiations. The appointment process depends significantly on both sides’ consent and will feature in discussions between the UN Secretary-General and the two Cypriot leaders, though potentially not during the informal five-party meeting but in subsequent talks.
Read more:
