Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties agree that a window of opportunity is still open for a solution to the Cyprus problem to be reached and have pledged to continue their bicommunal dialogue.The parties` leaders and representatives met in the presence of visiting Slovak Deputy Prime – Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák and the Ambassador of Slovakia Oksana Tomova on Monday and issued a Nicosia Joint Communiqué marking the 25th anniversary of the bicommunal dialogue under the auspices of the Slovak diplomacy.
After their meeting Lajčák read the Joint Communiqué in which political parties express “their thanks to the Slovak Republic, the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic and the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Nicosia, for the interest with which they embraced the bi-communal dialogue of the political parties for a quarter of a century and highly appreciate this persisting contribution”.
It is further added that “the leaders, once more, express their will to continue this dialogue, since these meetings represent a very useful occasion for contacts and exchange of views”.
Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties have agreed, Communiqué continues, “that the objective of the on-going efforts is the contribution to the solution of the Cyprus issue on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, as defined by the relevant UN resolutions and high-level agreements and with respect to the rights and freedoms of all Cypriots in line with the EU principles”.
“The political parties also agree that confidence building measures should be a positive step for the comprehensive solution”, it is noted.
The political parties reiterate their agreement that “the continuation of the current status quo is unacceptable”, pointing out that “a `window of opportunity` is still open and should be used for finding a peaceful solution of the Cyprus issue to the benefit of all Cypriots”.
The Joint Communiqué also gives the background of the 25 year old dialogue between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties under the auspices first of Czechoslovakia and later of Slovakia.
Twenty five years ago former Ambassador of Czechoslovakia Emil Keblúšek brought the idea to invite the representatives of the political parties to Prague in order to meet and speak about the Cyprus issue.
One of the results of the first meeting in May 1989, which represents the creation of the bi-communal platform of political parties, was to continue with these contacts on a regular basis in Nicosia.
“Within these 25 years Czechoslovakia at first, and the Slovak Republic later, gave the political parties a unique chance to develop a useful dialogue based on the spirit of cooperation, reflection and mutual understanding”, it is noted.
Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN backed negotiations have been ongoing since February between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroğlu with a view of reuniting the island under a federal roof.