Τheir “strong condemnation” of the assassination attempt of the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico express in a joint communiqué, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties meeting at Ledra Palace under the auspices of the Slovak Embassy.

The parties express their “strong condemnation” of the attempted assassination of Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico and “extend their heartfelt wishes for the saving of the life of the Prime Minister”.

The attack on the life of the Prime Minister, they add, “constitutes a threat to the functioning of democracy in Slovakia and, by extension, to the functioning of democracy in the European Union and as such should raise our concern.”

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.

The Slovak Embassy in Cyprus has been engaged since 1989 in the bicommunal dialogue, and hosts a monthly session between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties at Ledra Palace, the headquarters of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus.