Leaders and representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties who met on Wednesday in Nicosia agreed that the current window of opportunity for the recommencement of negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem needs to be constructively utilised.
According to a Joint Communique issued after their meeting in the framework of the bicommunal dialogue under the auspices of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic, in Ledra Palace, in Nicosia, participants expressed opinions on the topic proposed by the hosting party United Democrats: ”Time is of the essence: Two generations of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have spent their lives in anticipation and disappointment. Let’s give the prospect of peace, cooperation, development, and prosperity to the younger generations of Cypriots, before it’s too late. Let’s make geography work in our own favour.”
“The representatives of the political parties agreed that the current window of opportunity for the recommencement of negotiations for the
solution of the Cyprus problem needs to be constructively utilised” the Joint Communique reads.
It adds that they acknowledged that as it has become evident from developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, there are no frozen conflicts.
Furthermore, it says that they agreed that both communities in Cyprus as well as our neighbours in the Eastern Mediterranean will benefit from a peaceful mutually agreed solution of the Cyprus problem.
In addition, it says that they welcome the UNSC Resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the return of all hostages. The next meeting of the leaders and representatives of the political parties will be held on Thursday 25 April 2024, with New Cyprus Party (YKP) as the hosting party, the Joint Communique ends.
Meanwhile, leader of the hosting Greek Cypriot party, United Democrats, Praxoula Antoniadou Kyriacou, said at the meeting that the United Democrats are firmly convinced that we, the Cypriots, must utilise the current opportunity for the recomme
ncement of dialogue with a determination and courage to succeed.
“It is the last opportunity that we have to try and find a mutually agreed solution on the basis of the framework of a Bizonal Bicommunal Federation with political equality, as defined by relevant UN resolutions” she said, according to an announcement released by the United Democrats.
She noted that “if both communities in Cyprus, as well as our neighbours in the Eastern Mediterranean take serious note of the geography of our neighbourhood, then all should become aware that only through peaceful cooperation can win-win results become available for all, be it in geopolitical terms, in economic terms -including energy- or social and environmental sustainability”.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. Recently, the UN
SG appointed Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar as his personal envoy on Cyprus. Holguin already began her contacts both on the island and in various foreign countries.
Source: Cyprus News Agency