UN calls on Cyprus leaders to return to talks

By Betul Yuruk </p> <p>UNITED NATIONS (AA) – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday called on the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders and related parties to return to negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus issue. </p> <p>The UNSC also unanimously adopted a resolution that renewed the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for another six months.</p> <p>UNFICYP, one of the UN's longest-running peacekeeping missions, has been on the island since 1964 and its mandate is extended every six months.</p> <p>Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by violence against the island's Turks and Ankara's intervention as a guarantor power.</p> <p>It has seen an on-and-off peace process in recent years, including the collapse of a 2017 initiative in Switzerland under the auspices of guarantor countries Turkey, Greece and the U.K.