Greek and Turkish Cypriots marched together Wednesday to urge rival leaders on the divided island to reach agreement at a make-or-break reunification summit in Switzerland next month.
Around 250 Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots presented a peace declaration to Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and crossed south to also deliver it to President Nicos Anastasiades, his Greek Cypriot counterpart.
They urged the two leaders to "move forward without hesitation towards reunification” as the "window of opportunity will not be open forever".
The march comes at a critical time for the eastern Mediterranean island, with the Cypriot leaders due to engage in UN-brokered peace negotiations in Geneva.
The marchers representing 95 civil society organisations called on the leaders to intensify their efforts and encouraged Cypriots to embrace reunification.
"Cyprus belongs to its people," and "Solution now," they chanted.
Anastasiades and Akinci have agreed to resume the reunification talks after negotiations broke down in Switzerland last month.
There had been mounting international pressure for the leaders to pick up where they left off in an effort to reach a deal as soon as possible.
The leaders will meet for a final push in Geneva on January 9 and 11, having agreed to present maps of their respective proposals for the internal boundaries of a future federation.
And from 12 January, a conference on Cyprus is to be convened with the added participation of guarantor powers Greece, Turkey and Britain.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded the island in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece.
Anastasiades and Akıncı have been among the most outspoken proponents of a deal, but any agreement they reach will have to be approved by their respective communities in referendums.
Greek and Turkish Cypriots marched together Wednesday to urge rival leaders on the divided island to reach agreement at a make-or-break reunification summit in Switzerland next month.
Around 250 Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots presented a peace declaration to Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and crossed south to also deliver it to President Nicos Anastasiades, his Greek Cypriot counterpart.
They urged the two leaders to “move forward without hesitation towards reunification” as the “window of opportunity will not be open forever”.
The march comes at a critical time for the eastern Mediterranean island, with the Cypriot leaders due to engage in UN-brokered peace negotiations in Geneva.
The marchers representing 95 civil society organisations called on the leaders to intensify their efforts and encouraged Cypriots to embrace reunification.
“Cyprus belongs to its people,” and “Solution now,” they chanted.
Anastasiades and Akinci have agreed to resume the reunification talks after negotiations broke down in Switzerland last month.
There had been mounting international pressure for the leaders to pick up where they left off in an effort to reach a deal as soon as possible.
The leaders will meet for a final push in Geneva on January 9 and 11, having agreed to present maps of their respective proposals for the internal boundaries of a future federation.
And from 12 January, a conference on Cyprus is to be convened with the added participation of guarantor powers Greece, Turkey and Britain.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded the island in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece.
Anastasiades and Akıncı have been among the most outspoken proponents of a deal, but any agreement they reach will have to be approved by their respective communities in referendums.
