Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots organisations have called upon the leaders of the two communities, ahead of the Cyprus Meeting in Geneva next week, to put an end to negative rhetoric and to rise to the occasion so that dialogue can resume.
In their Joint Declaration, they state that “we have gathered here today in the buffer zone of Nicosia, just days before the crucial meeting in Geneva, as Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, regardless of political, ideological, or other beliefs, to send a united message that despite the prevailing climate of disappointment, we continue the struggle for the reunification of our country”.
“We call on both leaders to put an end to negative rhetoric and to rise to the occasion so that dialogue can resume. They must work constructively and sincerely, building on what has been achieved so far at the negotiation table, up to and including the Crans-Montana conference in 2017 and within the framework of the Guterres proposals, so that results can be achieved. We urge them to respect the common will and shared vision of all Cypriots for a reunited and peaceful Cyprus, a homeland for all its children” they stress.
They also note that organizations supporting this mobilization—including trade unions, political parties, professional associations, cultural and other social organizations—continue to believe that a Bizonal Bicommunal Federation with political equality is the only viable solution that can create the conditions for a peaceful future.
“Ideas of a two-state solution or a confederation are clearly unacceptable, just as any attempt to renegotiate essential agreed provisions related to political equality, is equally unacceptable. Safeguarding the achievements of the negotiations is a crucial element in ensuring the possibility of an agreed solution” they continued.
They also called on the “foreign powers involved to respect the desire of the Cypriot people as a whole to once again live peacefully in a reunited homeland and to contribute to arrangements that serve the genuine interests of the Cypriot people, for the benefit of peace and stability throughout the Eastern Mediterranean”.
The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot organisations that sign the Joint Declaration are trade unions, political parties, professional associations, cultural and other social organisations as well as bicommunal organisations.
( Source: CNA)
