The UN Security Council will decide on the renewal of the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) on Thursday.

Consultations continue, as Security Council members have not been able to reach an agreement over the final document.

The review of the UNFICYP mandate is still a matter of consultations.

The initially drafted phrase referring to a “specific review of UNFICYP” has been amended to include a review of UNFICYP at the appropriate time, a phrase already used in various UN SG reports.

UNFICYP is one of the longest-running UN Peacekeeping missions. It was set up in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on the island and bring about a return to normal conditions.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN led talks have been underway with a view to reunify the island under a federal roof.