"World Peace Day" Marked with Bicommunal Event in Nicosia

The event was organized by Cypriot Turkish and Greek Cypriot unions, members of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), and the Bicommunal Peace Initiative – United Cyprus. The gathering took place at 7:30 PM in front of the Home for Cooperation.

During the event, participants held banners reading “Peace and Solution in Cyprus” and “No to War, Yes to Peace,” while chanting the slogan “Peace in Cyprus Cannot Be Hindered.” A joint statement was read out, and cultural activities were also held.

Call to Leaders

The joint statement called on Cypriot Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders to "reaffirm their commitment in a tangible way to solving the Cyprus problem through a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality as stipulated in UN resolutions."

The statement highlighted the growing tensions, aggression, and warmongering in international relations, which are pushing humanity into an intensified arms race, increasing the risk of a general imperialist conflict with potentially catastrophic and unpredictable consequences. It also drew attention to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, which continues to have dramatic consequences for both nations.

The statement condemned the continued barbaric crimes and bombings carried out by the Israeli government in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians, mostly women and children, with the support of the United States and NATO allies.

It emphasized that the blockade imposed by the Israeli state deprives Palestinians of access to medicine, water, food, and electricity, further worsening the situation. The statement called for an end to Israel's brutal attacks on Palestinians, the release of hostages, and the removal of all obstacles to the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid.

"As Cypriot Greek and Turkish workers, we condemn the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people and express our solidarity and support for their right to an independent state based on UN resolutions, which will ensure peace and security in the region. The escalation of tensions in the Middle East and the growing risk of a generalized war with incalculable consequences for the region's people is now clearly visible."

The statement also underscored the organizations' opposition to the involvement of Cyprus in any military operations by imperialist powers accumulating in the Eastern Mediterranean and stressed that the instability and dangers posed by international conflicts necessitate participation in the peace struggle.

"The Cyprus Problem Must Be Resolved"

The statement called for spending on education, health, and social policies instead of armaments, stating:

"The joint struggle of Cypriot workers for the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of Cyprus is part of the broader struggle of all the world's peoples for global peace. Our organizations express deep concern over the prolonged stagnation and lack of dialogue in the negotiations aimed at resolving the Cyprus problem, especially as the permanent division of the island becomes increasingly apparent. We call on the two leaders to reaffirm their commitment to solving the Cyprus problem through a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality as stipulated in UN resolutions. Negotiations on the Cyprus problem should resume immediately from where they left off in Crans Montana, accepting the UN Secretary-General’s framework and the convergences achieved so far, and continue until a solution is reached."