AKEL on the 30 years of Meetings of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties at Ledra Palace

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 11 June 2019, Nicosia

On the occasion of the anniversary events held by the Embassy of Slovakia on the 30 years since the start of the Meetings of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties at Ledra Palace, AKEL welcomes the longstanding contribution of this custom towards bicommunal dialogue. We express our warm thanks to the Slovak Embassy for organizing the meetings since 1989 (back then held under the auspices of the Embassy of Czechoslovakia).

These meetings had provided the proper conditions for developing dialogue between political parties on both sides of the division line, especially in much more difficult conditions. The meetings, which never sought to replace the official negotiations, make a major contribution towards promoting mutual understanding, cooperation and the development of the relations of parties and, by extension, of the two communities.

Furthermore, the joint actions of the parties within the framework of the meetings on confidence-building issues are a good example of political co-operation, showing the way forward for the construction of a reunited and federal Cyprus.

AKEL has always participated and actively supported the custom of these Meetings, as it is a fervent supporter of the rapprochement of the two communities at all levels. We hope that this valuable custom will soon develop to a table of dialogue on the issues regarding the implementation of a federal solution in Cyprus.