Establishing goodwill between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, through activities that involve children, women and the elderly, ‘blue helmets’ with the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) are working towards a “bi-zonal, bi-communal federated state”, to ensure a “future where the whole of the island can live in a safe and secure environment” says Force Commander, Major-General Cheryl Pearce.

The Mission was established in 1964 to prevent fighting between the two communities on the Mediterranean island, and in the absence of a political settlement, it continues to maintain ceasefire lines and a buffer zone.

Just ahead of the International Day of Peacekeepers marked on Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Pearce spoke to Julia Dean from the UN Information Centre in Australia.