Leaders of the divided Cyprus island have lost trust in the negotiation process - Group

Cyprus peace group #UniteCyprusNow have come to the conclusion that both leaders of the divided Cyprus island have lost trust in each other and in the negotiation process.

After meeting with Greek Cypriot President Nicos Ansasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, the movement stated in an announcement that:

There is an obvious blame game and reluctance to work together for the successful finalisation of the talks.

The group repeated their call to both leaders to move forward without delay with steps to create trust, mutual respect and understanding amongst the people of Cyprus and enable economic, educational, cultural, social and sporting cooperation between the north and the south.

The platform noted that it is clear that a new strategy is needed to create the necessary conditions for the talks to resume and end successfully adding that a solution must come from the people “rather than the failed top-down approach”.

They call on all Cypriots to join them in advocating their demands towards the leaders for a united Cyprus.

They demands that leaders take immediate measures to build an environment for peaceful cooperation and to educate people on the bizonal and bicommunal federation as they see it being the “only possible and viable solution” for Cyprus.

They urge the leaders to promote cooperation at all levels of society.

#UniteCyprusNow call on the two leaders to take measures to eliminate “the official nationalistic rhetoric” and to authorise the Bicommunal Technical Committee to reform the education system in a way that coexistence is promoted.

They also call on the leaders to deal with hate crimes.

Photo Source: Yeni Duzen