Cyprus` religious leaders have reaffirmed their support to the efforts of the leaders of the two communities to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem.
The religious leaders attended today a lunch hosted by the Ambassador of Sweden to Cyprus at the residence of the Swedish Ambassador in Nicosia, within the framework of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden. Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide and UN SG`s Special Representative in Cyprus Lisa Buttenheim were also present at the meeting.
In his statements following the meeting, Eide said that it was a very positive and interesting lunch adding that the religious leaders of Cyprus “are working closely to support reunification and the idea that this island is an island of many faiths and people of different traditions but without any form of religious conflict”.
“As last time we met, which is sometime ago now, back in the 2014, that I met with this group of leaders together, we talked about the fact that while in the neighbourhood we see many conflicts that are political in nature but they are being exploited and made into religious conflicts this is not happening here and there is no chance that this can happen in Cyprus given the strong leadership and the strong will of the religious leaders to be supportive of peace and unity in Cyprus”, he said.
He noted that “it gives me strong inspiration to talk to these people, to listen to them, to take their advice on the general picture and we also had the opportunity to discuss some more specific issues pertaining to the religious communities and the status of the religious communities and the holy sites, houses of worship and properties of the different religious organizations which are all relevant questions for the negotiation that is being led by the two leaders”.
Eide said that “it`s been very inspiring, very rich conversation and I am truly proud to be able to witness how leaders of all faiths can come together and work as they did only a few days ago when they jointly visited the Committee on Missing Persons laboratory in the buffer zone”.
“I think this gives hope for the peace negotiations towards reunification of Cyprus”, he concluded.
Archbishop Chrysostomos thanked the Swedish Ambassador for hosting them and the representatives of the UN General Secretary for hearing them carefully.
“The good thing is that all religious leaders agree on all issues and we wish that the two leaders will achieve a proper solution and we would contribute to this so that our people, both Greeks and Turkish, will live happily on this island, “he said.
He added that the religious leaders would do what ever it takes so that peace and prosperity prevails on the island.
Mufti of Turkish Cypriots Talip Atalay, speaking through an interpreter, said that this togetherness is not only important for Cyprus but it is important for the whole world.
Religious leaders of Cyprus have nice memories from the recent past, the Ottoman and the British era. “We should aim to learn from our past nice memories so that in the future we can have better and nicer memories”, he added.
“For the whole region which is suffering at the moment we hope that we will be a good example for them and lead them towards peace”, he said.
He also expressed the support of the religious leaders to the two leaders in their effort to achieve a sustainable and permanent peace in Cyprus.
Archbishop of the Maronite Church of Cyprus Youssef Soueif said that this meeting of the religious leaders reflects the historic experiences of the island. “Of course we should take lessons from the weaknesses of the past but also we should get benefit from the experience of coexistence, of living together”.
He said that peace and reconciliation in Cyprus would greatly benefit not only the island but the whole region and in particular the Middle East, Europe and the whole world.
He said that during the meeting they discussed issues related to the religious dimension of our communities and stressed the importance of the freedom of access to all the worship places, churches, monasteries and mosques across the island.
This move and initiative is part of the confidence building measures and will help the psychology of the people and the two leaders and the whole country in entering into the spirit of reconciliation and peace.
He also said that they discussed practical issues based on trust and brotherhood, understanding adding in this spirit of friendship we can have a strong Cyprus, an oasis of peace and reconciliation.
Archbishop of the Maronite Church expressed the religious leaders support to the leaders`s efforts to reach a solution and offer to the new generations the possibility of peace and prosperity.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-backed talks are underway with the aim to reunite the island under a federal roof.
