Security Council resolution 1217 (1998) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)]
[Extension of the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)]

Decides to extend the mandate of UNFICYP for a further period ending on 30 June 1999; reminds both sides of their obligations to prevent any violence directed against UNFICYP personnel, to cooperate fully with UNFICYP and to ensure its complete freedom of movement; calls upon the military authorities on both sides to refrain from any action, particularly in the vicinity of the buffer zone, which would exacerbate tensions; reiterates its grave concern at the continuing excessive levels of military forces and armaments in Cyprus and the rate at which they are being expanded, upgraded and modernized, including by the introduction of sophisticated weaponry, and the lack of progress towards any significant reduction in the number of foreign troops in Cyprus; calls upon all concerned to commit themselves to a reduction in defence spending and a reduction in the number of foreign troops in Cyprus to help restore confidence between the parties and as a 1st step towards the withdrawal of non-Cypriot forces; reaffirms that the status quo is unacceptable and that negotiations on a final political solution of the Cyprus problem have been at an impasse for too long; calls once again upon the leaders of the 2 communities to commit themselves to this process of negotiations, and to cooperate actively and constructively with the Secretary-General, his Special Adviser and his Deputy Special Representative and to resume when appropriate the direct dialogue, and urges all States to lend their full support to these efforts; welcomes also the resumption of work of the Committee on Missing Persons, and calls for implementation without delay of the agreement on missing persons of 31 July 1997; reiterates its support for the efforts of UN and others concerned to promote the holding of bi-communal events so as to build cooperation, trust and mutual respect between the 2 communities.

3 p.

Concerns extension of the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).