The Participants of the meeting of Left Parties on the European Elections held in Pervolia, Cyprus on the 12th – 13th April 2009 consider the continued division of the island as illegal, unacceptable and detrimental to peace, security and the prosperity of all the people of Cyprus, Greek and Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latines. The continuous division of Cyprus constitutes a threat for peace and security in the wider region of East Mediterranean. 

We condemn the occupation of 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey, the influx of settlers from mainland Turkey, the destruction of cultural heritage and the usurpation of land and properties in the areas not under the control of the Republic since 1974. We believe that the appropriate way to reach a peaceful, just, mutually acceptable and viable solution of the Cyprus problem is through substantive and direct negotiations under the auspices of the UN, on the basis of the UN Security Council Resolutions, the High-Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979, International and European Law.

As a result of the policies and initiatives undertaken by the President of the Republic Cyprus, the beginning of substantive negotiations, between the leaders of the two communities of Cyprus on the 3rd of September 2008, was made possible. We welcome the revival of the negotiations under UN auspices. We urge the leaders of the two communities to work together in a constructive manner for a comprehensive settlement. Talking into account the negative experience of the recent past, suffocating timetables and arbitration should be avoided and the procedure should remain of Cypriot ownership.

We believe that all efforts should be concentrated for reaching a solution as soon as possible. This can be achieved only if the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side, will show in practice their readiness for a decent compromise in the negotiation table, thus remaining in the agreed framework of the solution as defined by the two leaders before the commencement of the negotiation procedure.

We underline that the settlement of the Cyprus problem must be based on the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus into an independent, bizonal, bicommunal federation with territorial integrity, a single sovereignty, single international personality single citizenship, political equality as provided by the relevant Security Council Resolutions. The solution must provide for the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation troops the lifting of the occupation and the termination of the illegal influx of settlers. The solution of the Cyprus problem should safeguard human rights and fundamental freedoms of all citizens, in line with international law and the UN Charter, including the right of refugees to return to their homes and properties and the right of the families of missing persons in both Communities to be informed of the fate of their loved ones.

We call on the international community to exercise their influence on Turkey and urge it to abandon its current policy towards Cyprus and adopt a constructive attitude that will help in the formulation of a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem as described above.

Our Parties through their elected representatives in the European Parliament as well as in our National Parliaments, but also through the mass movements in our respective countries, will continue to support actively the efforts for a solution of the Cyprus problem along the lines described above, as the solution of the Cyprus problem will be a significant contribution to peace in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus will be a bridge of peace and cooperation between Europe, the Middle East and Africa.