An initiative by trade unions and peace platforms across the divide aims at attracting people in a new gathering in the Nicosia buffer zone, on January 10, to express their support for talks that will be ongoing at that time in Geneva.

According to a relevant announcement, organizers include the Pancyprian Federation of Labour (PEO), the bicommunal peace initiative “United Cyprus” and the Turkish Cypriot “Solution and Peace Platform”, who aim to send a message in favor of the peace process and “demand from the leaders to return back to Cyprus, bringing good news for the cause of peace” and for the country`s reunification.

The event is scheduled to take place on January 10, 2017, at 6.00pm Cyprus time (4.00pm GMT) at Çetinkaya stadium, near Ledra Palace.

With their announcement, organizers extend an open invitation to organizations, parties and other “forces who believe in the prospect of a settlement and of reunification” to join forces with them, by endorsing their call. The names of all supporters will be announced on January 5, 2017, at 10am, during a press conference at the Home for Cooperation, in the buffer zone.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.

President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have been engaged in UN-backed talks since May 2015 with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.

Anastasiades and Akinci decided on December 1 to meet in Geneva on January 9, 10 and 11, 2017. On the 12th of January the Conference of Cyprus will begin in Geneva.