The situation in the buffer zone is “heading towards de-escalation,” said UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix after meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia on Tuesday morning.
According to Politis sources, the two discussed the recent frictions in Pyla and the need to prevent tensions, allowing a space for political progress between the leaders in their effort to reach agreements on confidence-building measures and a resumption of negotiations.
The President underlined the important role played by the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), especially during a period of increased violations by Turkish occupation forces in the buffer zone.
He also noted: “We need a favourable environment for the resumption of negotiations.”
On the stalled peace process, Christodoulides expressed his gratitude for the UN Secretary-General’s political commitment and “new initiative” to resume negotiations.
Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis noted after the meeting that the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations had thanked the President for the regional role Cyprus plays, as well as for the humanitarian assistance it provides in a number of crises, particularly in support of Lebanon.
For his part, Lacroix reassured the President of UNFICYP’s commitment to work closely with both sides to address concerns related to management of the buffer zone.
“We are working to ensure that nothing will jeopardise or undermine the important negotiating process,” he said.
Lacroix said UNFICYP is working across its police, civilian and military components to preserve calm and support the political process on Cyprus.
"The role of UNFICYP is to do everything possible so that calm will continue to prevail in the buffer zone," he said.
Lacroix noted he visited Pyla earlier in the day and told the President that UNFICYP personnel continue to work tirelessly and in a very integrated manner "to promote de-escalation".
"I believe that the situation is heading towards de-escalation,” he added.
Lacroix highlighted that the recent incidents underlined the importance of UNFICYP’s role. The presence of a neutral and impartial mission in the buffer zone is really important to maintaining calm and preserving the conditions needed for political talks to move forward, he said.
Pyla problems continue
Although planned in advance, Lacroix’s visit coincides with increased tensions in the buffer zone following repeat incursions on the Pyla plateau by Turkish Cypriot ‘police’, prompted by the increased activity of the Veterinary Services in the area to address the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.
Turkish Cypriot security forces sought to prevent veterinary officials from accessing Turkish Cypriot farms in the buffer zone, while simultaneously reigniting claims over the UN-controlled area, increasing their presence in and around Pyla and Pergamos.
UNFICYP responded in kind, increasing its own presence and patrols to counteract unauthorised incursions. The UN Security Council was also informed of the increase in violations of the buffer zone.
After a face-off between the UN and Turkish Cypriot ‘police’, the situation calmed somewhat last week. However, according to Politis sources, Turkish Cypriot patrols continue to regularly enter the buffer zone on the Pyla plateau. They park their vehicles for a short while, then leave and return later in the day, monitored by UN peacekeepers. UNFICYP is actively engaging with the Turkish Cypriot side to restore the status quo ante in the area.
Bird’s eye view of Pyla
Prior to his meeting with the President, the UN Under-Secretary-General was given a bird’s eye view of UNFICYP operations over Pyla, flying over the buffer zone with the mission’s helicopter unit.
On the ground, Lacroix spoke with peacekeepers from Sector 4 – the eastern part of the buffer zone – who are responsible for patrolling and maintaining calm in the area.
🚁 A bird’s-eye view of action for peacekeeping.
— UN Cyprus (@UN_CYPRUS) April 21, 2026
This morning, chief of @UNPeacekeeping, Jean Pierre Lacroix, took to the skies with #UNFICYP's flight unit, flying over the #Pyla/#Pile plateau alongside the Head of Mission, Khassim Diagne.
On the ground, they witnessed the work… pic.twitter.com/18NLzqCK5G
In a post on social media, the UN in Cyprus said “UNFICYP remains committed to working impartially with both sides to prevent tensions and maintain the status quo across the UN buffer zone”.
Lacroix arrived in Cyprus on Sunday, meeting on Monday with the diplomatic community, young Cypriots from both communities and the two local representatives of divided Nicosia, Mayor Charalambos Prountzos and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mehmet Harmancı. Together, they launched the global UN exhibition, ‘Through Her Lens: Women Rising for Peace.’
The UN peacekeeping chief also paid tribute to the peacekeepers who served with UNFICYP from 1964 onwards.
🕊️ A busy day in #Cyprus as @UNPeacekeeping Chief, Jean Pierre Lacroix, arrived on the island.@Lacroix_UN met with the diplomatic community, paid tribute to peacekeepers who served with #UNFICYP since 1964, and sat down with young Cypriots from both communities 🧑🤝🧑.
— UN Cyprus (@UN_CYPRUS) April 20, 2026
Together… pic.twitter.com/yA2qaCwWxt