Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, representing various organisations and political parties, have sent a strong message that peace in Cyprus cannot be impeded.

In a bi-communal event, which took place on Tuesday evening in the UN controlled buffer zone, at Ledra Street crossing point, they demanded peace and reconciliation in a reunited Cyprus, as the leaders of the island’s two communities were engaged in peace talks in Switzerland to find a negotiated settlement.

Participants described the bi-communal event as a meeting for peace, reunification and hope and expressed their support to the efforts of the two leaders, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, to find a solution.

At the same time, they demanded that the two leaders return to Cyprus from Crans Montana, Switzerland, where the Conference on Cyprus takes place, with a positive result.

At the event, a bi-communal choir comprising Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots sent messages of peace and reunification.

“We are all here together, the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots, along with our compatriots Armenians, Maronites, Latins and others, at this crucial time for our country, in order to raise our voice, a voice of hope and optimism, a voice for a solution and reunification”, a joint message, issued by the participating organisations and parties read out in the event, said.

They also called on the two leaders “to remain focused and committed to the effort and reach a mutually acceptable agreement that meets the hopes and the aspirations of the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. A solution that would end the partition and create conditions of security for all”.

The Conference on Cyprus, being held under the auspices of the United Nations, started on Wednesday morning at Le Régent Congress Centre in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, with a view to reaching a negotiated settlement that would reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.