EU praise for bi-communal contacts

THE EU Commission is sponsoring an international conference in London next month on multiculturalism in relation to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, External Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek said yesterday.

He was addressing a gathering of Greek and Turkish Cypriots involved in bi- communal activities at the UN-controlled Ledra Palace Hotel in Nicosia.

He said the Commission is ready to support bi-communal cultural projects and referred to the London conference entitled ‘From Nationalism to Multiculturalism: New Interpretations of the Literatures of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey’.

Van den Broek praised the group of business people, young political leaders, trade unionists, lawyers, architects and representatives of women’s groups who were gathered at the hotel for “looking to the future and not only to the past”.

“There is no substitute for people-to-people contacts in overcoming the deep mistrust of recent decades,” he said. “To succeed bi-communal initiatives must spring from the desire of people of the two communities to work together.”

He also said such contacts were invaluable in creating a climate that is conducive to efforts to find a lasting political solution, and will remain important even after a settlement is reached.

“I know that you are sometimes criticised for your activities and that you may even be accused of being naive or disloyal,” he told the group. “Do not let such accusations deter you from your purpose.”

He repeated the call for Turkish Cypriots to be involved in Cyprus’ EU negotiations. “I am convinced that can be achieved without prejudicing the position of either party in the search for a political settlement,” he said.

“Barbed wire and barricades have no place in a united Europe. Recognition that this situation is intolerable on the brink of the 21st century when so many other ancient quarrels have been consigned to history is the first step to achieving a solution.”