Head of the Church of Cyprus enlisted US Vice President Joe Biden`s support, in order, as he said, to avoid an unbalanced solution of the Cyprus problem.
Biden met this morning with the leaders of the religious groups in Cyprus, at the Archbishopric, in Nicosia and encouraged them to work together for peace.
After the meeting, the Archbishop had a ten minute tet-a-tet with the US Vice President, discussing efforts for a Cyprus solution. In statements later, the Archbishop said he explained the position of the Church on the Cyprus problem, along its “red lines”. Biden pledged from his part to assume a `useful role`, while expressing his aspiration for a just Cyprus solution.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied the island`s northern third. A new round of peace talks started last February, to find a negotiated settlement that will reunify the country under a federal roof.
Biden`s visit to Cyprus, at the invitation of President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, is the first visit of a USA Vice President in 52 years.
In statements after the meeting, the Archbishop said that religious leaders pledged to work together, in order for Christians and Muslims alike to be able to visit their religious sites in both sides of the divide.
On Cyprus, the Archbishop said Biden pledged to be useful, as he has friendly contacts with the Turkish Prime Minister, but noted however that there is no easy path.
Both sides must share the burden of a Cyprus solution equally, the Archbishop went on, noting that no side must be treated unfairly, for peace to prevail.
The meeting of religious leaders was also attended by the Turkish Cypriot Grand Mufti Talip Ataly, Maronite Archbishop Josef Soueif, Armenian Archbishop Varoujan Herkelian and the Roman Catholic Church representative to Cyprus father Zakheos Toulninof.
