The New Cyprus Association welcomed recent UN-brokered talks between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, whilst calling for concrete steps towards reunification.
In an announcement on Wednesday, the association said the trilateral meeting in New York between UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar marked a positive development in long-stalled peace efforts.
Plans for a broader five-party meeting including the island’s guarantor powers – Greece, Turkey and Britain – could provide fresh momentum for renewed negotiations, the group said in a statement, citing improved Greek-Turkish relations as a potential catalyst.
The association urged Tatar to abandon his stance on a two-state solution, saying it contradicted both UN resolutions and the wishes of the majority of Turkish Cypriots who support a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.
It also called on Christodoulides to match his stated commitment to reunification with “actions and initiatives” towards the Turkish Cypriot community.
The group endorsed discussions on opening additional crossing points between the two communities, despite acknowledged differences between both sides on implementation.
“The continuation of this impasse leads to a worsening of the prospects for a solution”, the association warned, highlighting potential negative impacts on the island’s political situation, economy, energy sector and development.
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