Over a hundred Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot organisations signed a joint declaration, calling on President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar to end the negative rhetoric and rise to the occasion so that negotiations could resume for a Cyprus settlement.

The declaration of the 107 political parties, trade unions, associations and organisations was read out on Friday evening at a gathering at the House of Cooperation in Nicosia.

“We are gathered here today in the buffer zone of Nicosia, just a few days ahead of the crucial meeting that will take place in Geneva […] to send own message that, despite the sense of disappointment, we continue the struggle for the reunification of the country,” the declaration said.