Cyprus and Ireland have a lot in common, House President says

There are obvious similarities between Cyprus and Ireland, which are experiencing the painful ordeal of division, House president Annita Demetriou said on Monday, during an official visit to Ireland.

During a visit at the Glencree centre for peace and reconciliation, Pat Hynes, the community and political dialogue programme manager briefed her over the centre’s efforts since 1974 as an independent NGO, to promote dialogue and reconciliation through trust-building measures between both sides over the matter of Northern Ireland.

Demetriou noted “the obvious similarities” between the two countries, that are undergoing the suffering that comes with division, stressing that Turkish military in Cyprus makes it a unique case.

As politicians, there is a duty to fight to maintain international law and in the meantime, encourage dialogue that leads to reconciliation.

To this end, Demetriou underlined the importance of the active participation and substantial contribution of women in the peace processes, since, as she pointed out, they are characterized by empathy, insight and perseverance and can propose alternative approaches to the prevention and resolution of conflicts.

Hynes said the road to reconciliation is long and requires continuous efforts in which it is important to involve as many people as possible, and in particular more women and young people, as active civil society actors on both sides of the political divide.

Demetriou, along with her Irish counterpart visited Kildare, the Teach Tearmainn refugee for abused women and children.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl, the Ceann Comhairle of the 32nd Dáil hosted a dinner in honour of Demetriou’s visit.