An open intercommunal discussion on the prospects of the Cyprus issue following the election of Tufan Erhürman to the Turkish Cypriot leadership was held on Friday at the Municipal Theatre of Arts and Letters in Larnaca.
According to a statement by the organisers, the event was jointly hosted by the “Larnaca for Solution and Reunification” initiative and the “Famagusta – Our City” movement.
Speakers included Asim Akansoy, a representative and ‘deputy’ of the Turkish Republican Party (CTP), legal expert and international relations specialist Toumazos Tsielepis, Kemal Baykalli, a member of the Central Committee of the Communal Democracy Party (TDP), and lawyer Achilleas Demetriades. The event was addressed by Athos Kazantzidis on behalf of the Mayor of Larnaca and by Suleiman Ulucay, the Turkish Cypriot local representative in Famagusta.
The organisers said the speakers focused on the need to continue the process towards a settlement based on a bi‑zonal, bi‑communal federation with political equality. They also referred to current regional developments, including the war in Gaza and the conflict involving Iran, and underlined the importance of direct public involvement as a source of pressure and mobilisation for a solution and the reunification of the island.
The statement concluded that the event constituted an important opportunity for communication between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and for their shared effort, which, according to the organisers, must continue through all available means to prevent the entrenchment of the status quo and the prospect of a two‑state solution.
Source: CNA