Ahead of the 5+1 Cyprus talks taking place in Geneva in an UN-led informal Cyprus conference for 2 days is being held from today (April 27) till Thursday (April 29) last week a new platform was formed made up of 113 groups call for unity on the island.
Calling for a Bi-zonal, Bi-communal Federation the platform ‘United Cyprus Platform’ said in a press release “Cyprus is yet again at critical crossroads. Before the danger of permanent division and tension, we are demanding that the political leaderships on both sides abandon their express or covert opposition to a Federal solution and respond positively and clearly to the UN SG proposals.
In contrast to the lack of political will by the leadership, conditions within Civil Society on both sides of the barbed wire are completely different. Despite widespread disappointment, Turkish and Greek Cypriots have demonstrated an unprecedented resolution in their will for reunification and peace in a Bi-zonal, Bi-communal Federation. Under these conditions, Civil Society is taking the lead.
Greek and Turkish Cypriots, in Cyprus and overseas, are mobilising and with determination rise above the negative atmosphere created by current leadership on both sides to demand immediate and specific positive steps for the resumption of substantive negotiations on the agreed basis for reunification.”
Calling for a Bi-zonal, Bi-communal Federation as well as the opening of all crossing points from north to south of the island, immediate moratorium on all actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and well as looking at the environment issues related to hydrocarbon field exploration.
Adding “We, organisations, movements and people that represent Civil Society, Turkish and Greek Cypriots, reaffirm our commitment to and support for the convergences achieved to date, confident that these provide the framework for a comprehensive settlement acceptable to both sides. It is underscored that both sides have converged and repeatedly affirmed that the solution shall lead to a reunified bi-zonal bi-communal federation with a single sovereignty, single international personality and single citizenship. These convergences represent the most valuable asset along the road of a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem…”
The platform is made up of 113 organisations from North and South Cyprus, as well the UK and overseas groups.
