The United Nations Security Council on Friday night adopted Resolution 2815 (2026), extending the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 31 January 2027. Thirteen members voted in favour, while Pakistan and Somalia abstained. In a statement released Saturday morning, the Cypriot Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision, stressing that the mission’s presence remains “indispensable for as long as the Turkish occupation continues.” The resolution warns that the current status quo on the island is “unsustainable” and risks “irreversible changes on the ground.” (cyprus-mail.com)
Behind the scenes, diplomats said negotiations were more difficult this year than in previous cycles, with disagreements over language on Varosha, buffer-zone violations and socioeconomic disparities between the two communities. A last-minute objection by Pakistan temporarily broke the Council’s “silence procedure,” forcing a third revision of the text before the final vote.
For organizations that need to relocate staff to Cyprus in the coming year, obtaining the correct entry documents can be just as important as tracking political developments. VisaHQ’s dedicated Cyprus page (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) streamlines the process with real-time visa information, electronic applications and concierge support, ensuring companies secure the right permits for employees, contractors and visiting experts quickly and compliantly.
![UN Security Council renews UNFICYP mandate, urges new crossing-point openings]()
For mobility professionals, the wording matters: the Council “encourages the opening of additional crossing points” and calls on both sides to respect UNFICYP’s freedom of movement. Any new crossing would ease daily commutes for approximately 30,000 workers and students who cross the Green Line each month, reducing travel times between the north and south and supporting cross-border business activity.
The resolution also requests that the Secretary-General submit two reports during the mandate period. These reports will assess not only security conditions but also confidence-building measures such as joint infrastructure projects and smoother procedures at existing crossings. Companies relocating staff to Cyprus, particularly those with operations on both sides of the divide, should monitor these reports for practical changes that could affect shuttle services, delivery routes and employee documentation requirements.
While the mandate renewal itself does not automatically change border procedures, past experience shows that UNFICYP language often shapes EU funding and technical-committee work on the ground. Mobility managers should therefore factor the possibility of new crossings—or temporary closures if tensions flare—into 2026 relocation plans, duty-of-care policies and travel-risk assessments.
Behind the scenes, diplomats said negotiations were more difficult this year than in previous cycles, with disagreements over language on Varosha, buffer-zone violations and socioeconomic disparities between the two communities. A last-minute objection by Pakistan temporarily broke the Council’s “silence procedure,” forcing a third revision of the text before the final vote.
For organizations that need to relocate staff to Cyprus in the coming year, obtaining the correct entry documents can be just as important as tracking political developments. VisaHQ’s dedicated Cyprus page (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) streamlines the process with real-time visa information, electronic applications and concierge support, ensuring companies secure the right permits for employees, contractors and visiting experts quickly and compliantly.
For mobility professionals, the wording matters: the Council “encourages the opening of additional crossing points” and calls on both sides to respect UNFICYP’s freedom of movement. Any new crossing would ease daily commutes for approximately 30,000 workers and students who cross the Green Line each month, reducing travel times between the north and south and supporting cross-border business activity.
The resolution also requests that the Secretary-General submit two reports during the mandate period. These reports will assess not only security conditions but also confidence-building measures such as joint infrastructure projects and smoother procedures at existing crossings. Companies relocating staff to Cyprus, particularly those with operations on both sides of the divide, should monitor these reports for practical changes that could affect shuttle services, delivery routes and employee documentation requirements.
While the mandate renewal itself does not automatically change border procedures, past experience shows that UNFICYP language often shapes EU funding and technical-committee work on the ground. Mobility managers should therefore factor the possibility of new crossings—or temporary closures if tensions flare—into 2026 relocation plans, duty-of-care policies and travel-risk assessments.
