Nicosia should be “a model of equality, inclusion, and universal accessibility”, Cyprus confederation of disability organisations (Kysoa) chairwoman Themis Anthopoulou said.

Speaking after a meeting with the capital’s mayor Charalambos Prountzos, she stressed that “when it comes to the last divided capital in Europe, it must strongly promote human rights”.

At that meeting, Kysoa said, Anthopoulou had “highlighted the need to adopt a horizontal understanding” of issues facing people with disabilities in Nicosia, with the aim of ensuring the “effective cooperation between all parties involved” to find solutions.

Pursuant to this, it said, it is hoped that the municipality will “devise priorities” and ensure the “effective planning of infrastructure projects and policies which will substantially improve the daily lives of people with disabilities”.

Anthopoulou expressed Kysoa’s “readiness for cooperation” with the municipality, “so that targeted projects and policies can be implemented” to improve the lives of people with disabilities living in Nicosia.

In addition, Kysoa and the municipality agreed to create a joint working group, which Kysoa said will “systematically handle all relevant issues”.