Cypriot parties exchange views on solution

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties, which meet regularly in the UN-controlled buffer zone under the auspices of the Slovak embassy in here, have exchanged views on their vision for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Ambassador of Slovakia Anna Tourenikova, reading out the joint communique issued at the end of the meeting, said the leaders and representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties “expressed opinion on the issue ‘Our vision for a solution to the Cyprus problem’ as proposed by the hosting party, the Greek Cypriot Democratic Party DEKO.

“They aspire to a bizonal, bicommunal Cyprus with political equality, as defined by the relevant resolutions of the UN, reached through negotiations of the two leaders, free of foreign influence”, the statement read.

“It will be the common home for its communities and it will serve as a model for the application of human rights and democratic principles and which will be an active member of the European family”, it concluded.

The next regular meeting of the leaders will be on 11 March at 1030 am at the Ledra Palace hotel.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September last year, aiming at reuniting the island, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.