Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties on Thursday called for stronger cooperation and the reinforcement of joint mechanisms to protect the environment and public health, amid the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreak on the island.

In a joint statement issued after their regular bicommunal meeting at the Ledra Palace hotel in Nicosia, party leaders and representatives stressed the need for the full and effective implementation of EU regulations across the entire island.

The meeting, held under the auspices of the Slovak embassy, also touched on wider regional developments, with participants expressing concern over escalating tensions along the Israel – US – Iran axis.

“The destructive consequences of war are once again being felt with great concern,” they said, adding that recent developments serve as a stark reminder that “geography is destiny”.

Referring to Cyprus, the parties said the continued presence of British sovereign base areas – described as a legacy of the island’s colonial past – creates conditions in which communities could be exposed to security risks stemming from conflicts in which they are not involved. “We issue a clear and urgent call against ongoing wars: peace now,” the statement said.

Highlighting the island’s shared reality, the parties noted that disasters do not recognise ceasefire lines.

“Fires, diseases and wars do not ask for passports. Cyprus is a single ecosystem,” they said, urging all sides to strengthen cooperation.

Particular emphasis was placed on the need for coordinated action in response to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, with parties calling for EU regulations to be applied effectively across the island through bicommunal technical committees.

“Strengthening institutional cooperation will be critical in improving preparedness and response to similar challenges in the future,” they said, adding that they look forward to working with the relevant bicommunal technical committee as soon as possible.

The parties also warned of increased risks as summer approaches, including wildfires, drought and water scarcity, stressing that effective disaster management can only be achieved through cooperation. They called on all sides to reinforce existing joint mechanisms “for the protection of nature and all living beings”.