Leaders and representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties participating in a bi-communal dialogue under the auspices of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Nicosia met at the Ledra Palace Hotel on 31 January.

In a Joint Communique issued after the meeting, the parties welcomed the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General, María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, to Cyprus and expressed their hope for a successful outcome of her mission.

They discussed the theme proposed by the host party, the United Republican Party of Cyprus (ERKK): “The role of transitional justice in reconciliation in Cyprus”.

More specifically, they discussed the notion of transitional justice as defined in the UN Secretary-General Report “The rule of law and transitional justice in conflict and post-conflict societies”. This report underlines that civil society organizations must all be given a voice in the reconciliation process, it is added.

“The political parties agreed to emphasize that informed popular consensus for any solution is needed in the reconciliation process in Cyprus. To this end they decided to discuss the issue further, including the possibility for the creation of a Bicommunal Truth and Reconciliation Committee that would explore ways and working methods needed” the announcement says.

The next meeting will take place on 28 February 2024 and will be hosted by the Socialist Party of Cyprus (SPC).