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A two-member delegation from The Elders are in Cyprus for contacts, as part of their initiative to garner regional support and encouragement for the peace process between the island’s two communities.
The delegation, consisting of former UN Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi and former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Brundtland, talked to the press on Thursday about their mission to Cyprus, having already visited Athens and Ankara.
Brahimi said the delegation is visiting Cyprus representing no one else but themselves, as concerned citizens and assured that if they have any influence, they wish to put it at the disposal of “this courageous process” between the two leaders (Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat),who are trying to solve this Cyprus problem.
Brundtland, in her statements, said it was a pleasure to be in Cyprus and have the opportunity to talk not only with the leaders but also with people who are active, like non-governmental organisations and researchers, in an attempt to understand the complications and the road to a solution of the Cyprus problem.
She stressed that they will support solution efforts, adding that a solution depends on the support of the media and the people in both communities.
As Brundtland said they had a very good discussion with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot women and listened to their views. She added that she found it very interesting that women are also involved in the peace process, stressing that the process should not be left to men alone.
The delegation from The Elders visited last October Cyprus, together with Elders’ chair, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former US President Jimmy Carter. Brahimi regretted that his fellow Elders couldn’t come to this year visit. As he explained Carter is busy and Tutu had to cancel his participation in the visit due to a back injury.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Christofias and Talat began direct talks on September 3rd 2008 with an aim to reach a negotiated settlement that would reunite the country under a federal roof.
