The present opportunity for resuming negotiations to address the Cyprus problem should be effectively utilized through the active participation of civil society and political will on the part of political parties and the leaders of the two communities, said the Joint Communiqué of the leaders and representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties participating in the bi-communal dialogue under the auspices of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Nicosia on 25 April at the Ledra Palace.

According to the Joint Communiqué, parties expressed opinions on the topic proposed by the hosting party New Cyprus Party (YKP): “On the anniversaries of 1964, 1974 and 2004: quo vadis?”, adding that the devastating war in Gaza reminded once again about the destructive face of war and for this reason “we need to fight for reaching an agreed solution and permanent peace in our island”.

It is added that the political parties agreed to emphasize the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in the region, expand the flow of humanitarian assistance and reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip, while reiterating the demand for the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale, in line with international humanitarian law.

The unresolved Cyprus Problem is like an hourglass working against the interests of all Cypriots and we are running out of time in terms of reaching an agreed solution, continues the communiqué, adding that the representatives of the political parties have reached a consensus that the present opportunity for resuming negotiations to address the Cyprus problem should be effectively utilized through the active participation of civil society and political will on the part of political parties and the leaders of the two communities.

As May is the month of the Anniversary of the Bicommunal Dialogue of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Political Parties facilitated by Slovak Diplomacy, this year’s anniversary will be commemorated by a “Tree of Peace” Planting Ceremony followed by a Cocktail on 9 May at the Ledra Palace Hotel in the presence of the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, while the next meeting of the leaders and representatives of the political parties will be held on Wednesday 26 June 2024, with Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) as the hosting party, the Joint Communiqué concludes.

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.