Political representatives from island’s two sides visit Northern Ireland

Representatives of both Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot political parties visited Northern Ireland in November.

The representatives took part in the Cyprus Dialogue Forum, which charted Northern Ireland’s course through intercommunal violence into the negotiations, agreement, and implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, which has seen the region at peace for two and a half decades.

Eight political parties were represented at the forum, four Turkish Cypriot parties and four Greek Cypriot parties. The Turkish Cypriot parties present were the CTP, the DP, the HP, and the UBP, while the Greek Cypriot parties present were Akel, Disy, Dipa, and the Green Party.

The participants heard from Irish diplomat and member of the Irish government’s delegation during the Northern Irish peace process Tim O’Connor, who informed them about the Northern Irish conflict’s political background and the philosophy behind the negotiations’ design.

In addition, they were met by the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Speaker Alex Maskey, who spoke regarding the difficulties faced in implementing the Good Friday Agreement.