Maintaining the military status quo and the safety of civilians in the buffer zone remains our most imporatnt priority, UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) spokesperson Aleem Siddique has told CNA.

Invited to comment complains by Greek Cypriot farmers about provocations against them by the Turkish occupation troops, in the UN – controlled buffer zone at Dhenia village, in Nicosia district, Siddique said that he did not have  any details on these allegations and that he could not confirm them, adding that “a whole variety of incidences take place in the buffer zone.”

He went on to say that this morning a farmer who did not have permission to enter the buffer zone was asked by UNFICYP to leave the area and did so.

Siddique stressed that “activites that undermine the military status quo cannot be permitted,” adding that “maintaining the military status quo and the safety of civilians in the buffer zone remains our most imporatnt priority.”

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.