Yahoo – AFP,
December 25, 2015
Nicosia (AFP) - Rival Cypriot leaders have issued a joint festive message across the divided island in each other's language, in a show of unity as they push for peace in 2016.
 |
| Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades (L) and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, pictured on July 28, 2015, expressed hopes for reunification in a Christmas Eve televised message which was also posted on YouTube (AFP Photo/Stavros Ioannides) |
Nicosia (AFP) - Rival Cypriot leaders have issued a joint festive message across the divided island in each other's language, in a show of unity as they push for peace in 2016.
Greek
Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mustafa
Akinci expressed hopes for reunification in the Christmas Eve televised message
which was also posted on YouTube.
"I
wish the new year will allow us... to live once more peacefully in a reunited
country," Anastasiades said in Turkish, the first time he has spoken the
language in public.
Standing
beside him, Akinci said in Greek: "I wish the new year will bring lasting
peace, serenity and prosperity to all Cypriots".
EU
Commission spokesperson Margaritis Schinas praised their statement, tweeting:
"Joint Christmas wishes best symbol of hope for a great European #Cyprus
in 2016".
Cyprus has
been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops occupied its northern third in
response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece.
Last week
Cypriot leaders wrapped up UN peace negotiations for 2015 saying they hoped
next year would bring an elusive reunification deal for the divided island.
Their next
meetings are planned for January 7, 14 and 29 with the aim "of reaching a
comprehensive settlement as soon as possible".
 |
Indian
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with Pakistan
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif upon his arrival
in Lahore on December 25,
2015 (AFP Photo)
|
Related Article:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.