Rallies in Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus Support a Federal Solution

Rallies organized by the “United Cyprus — Bi-Communal Peace Initiative” were held simultaneously in Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus. Participants called for the resumption of negotiations and a federal solution to the Cyprus problem.

The rally in Northern Cyprus took place at the Metehan roundabout. It was attended by leader Sıla Usar İncirli, lawmakers, representatives of trade unions and civil society organizations, and civic activists.

Participants held placards bearing the slogans “We are here for peace, we are ready for a solution,” “Respect the agreements reached: take the final step,” and “A solution means peace and prosperity for all.” Some of the placards, written in Turkish, Greek, and English, read: “A federal solution — now.”

A joint statement on behalf of 108 political parties, trade unions, and civil society organizations was read out by Ahmet Karaoğulları, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers’ Union. The document welcomed UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s visit to Cyprus and expressed support for his efforts to revive the negotiating process.

The authors of the declaration reaffirmed their support for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on political equality, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. They also called for preserving the agreements reached previously, focusing on the unresolved issues identified in Guterres’s framework plan, and resuming negotiations as soon as possible.

Participants separately expressed disappointment over the lack of progress on confidence-building measures, including the opening of new crossing points and the development of the joint IMAGINE education project. They called on the leaders of the two communities to implement the initiatives already agreed upon without further delay.