108 civil society groups call for reunification ahead of Geneva talks
Source: in-cyprus.com
A coalition of 108 organisations from both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities delivered a joint declaration to the UN peacekeeping mission head on Saturday, calling for the island’s reunification ahead of multilateral talks in Geneva.
The declaration, handed to UN peacekeeping force chief Colin Stewart, urged leaders from both communities to end negative rhetoric and resume dialogue based on previous agreements, particularly the framework established during the Crans-Montana talks in 2017.
“Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, regardless of political, ideological and other beliefs, gathered in the buffer zone in Nicosia to send a united message that despite the climate of disappointment, we continue the struggle for the reunification of the country,” the statement said.
The organisations, which include trade unions, political parties, professional, cultural and social groups, reaffirmed their support for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as “the only viable solution that can create the conditions for a peaceful future”.
They explicitly rejected alternative proposals such as a two-state solution or confederation as “obviously unacceptable,” along with any attempts to renegotiate previously agreed provisions concerning political equality.
The declaration also called for opening new checkpoints between the divided communities to facilitate movement and strengthen relationships between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
“It is our belief that the time has come to leave behind and bury once and for all the violence of the past, nationalist outbursts, intolerance, and build together our common hopeful future,” the statement read.
The groups urged foreign powers involved in the Cyprus issue to respect the Cypriot people’s wish to live peacefully in a reunified 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”.
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