NEW YORK, NY – Greek News USA
This year, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus [UNFICYP] is marking 60 years since its establishment on the island in 1964.
Commemorating this anniversary, the Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the United Nations is hosting an event accompanied by a photographic exhibition, titled: “60 Years in the Service of Peace: Tribute to the Peacekeepers of the United Nations Force in Cyprus” on Friday, 14 June at 10am at the UN Headquarters, in NYC.
Dr. Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, will attend the event and inaugurate the photographic exhibition, paying tribute on behalf of the Government of Cyprus to the service of more than 150,000 men and women from 43 troop contributing countries who have served in UNFICYP in the span of these 60 years.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, as well as Major General Cheryl Pearce, Deputy Military Adviser will address the event as main speakers.
Establishment of UNFICYP
According to UNFICYP’s website, on March 4, 1964, the United Nations Security Council, alarmed by the escalation of intercommunal violence on the island, adopted its resolution 186 and decided that the situation demanded the establishment of a United Nations Peacekeeping Force and the appointment of a mediator on the Cyprus issue.
By the end of 1964, approximately 6,300 peacekeepers from Austria, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, and United Kingdom had formed UNFICYP and established their presence at various locations around the island as they began to work in the impartial, diligent, and caring manner that would set the tone for the decades to come.
Sixty years later, more than 150,000 peacekeepers from 43 countries have served with UNFICYP and contributed to the fulfilment of its mandate. Sadly, 187 peacekeepers and staff [from 11 countries] have lost their lives while serving with the Mission, paying the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace.
Watch the documentary about 60 years of the UN in Cyprus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pahDbNXz-7k
