Cyprus parties call for renewed reunification efforts on Republic’s 66th anniversary

Nicosia, Cyprus. Political parties marked the 66th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus on Thursday with calls for renewed efforts to end the island’s division, warning against allowing the status quo to become permanent.

Independence Day statements

Alma, Edek, Dipa and the Cyprus Greens issued statements marking Independence Day, paying tribute to those who fought for Cyprus and stressing the importance of safeguarding the Republic and pursuing a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Alma calls for efforts to break the deadlock

Alma said the anniversary came at an “extremely difficult and critical juncture”, with substantive negotiations yet to resume despite the efforts of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The party said Turkey continued to insist on a two-state solution while the time remaining before the end of Guterres’ term was dwindling.

It said the response should be neither “fatalism” nor the creation of “false expectations for communication purposes”. Instead, it called for every avenue to be explored to break the deadlock and resume substantive negotiations on the basis of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Alma also said preparations should be made for the next steps if current efforts fail.

“The Republic of Cyprus constitutes our strongest institutional and international foundation,” the party said, warning against the consolidation of partition and the gradual distancing of the north from the prospect of a reunified Cyprus.

It stressed that Turkish Cypriots were “not our opponents” and said stronger links between the Turkish Cypriot community, the Republic and the European Union should form part of reunification efforts.

Edek stresses protection of the Republic

Edek described the Republic as the “common home” of Cypriots and their “institutional shield”. It said the struggle against occupation and for reunification must continue on the basis of international law, EU principles, democracy and human rights.

The party paid tribute to those who fought against British colonial rule, those who defended constitutional order during the 1974 coup and those who resisted the subsequent Turkish invasion.