Leaders and representatives of some Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot political parties came together at a meeting held at the Ledra Palace Hotel as part of routine bi-communal meetings organized under the auspices of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic.

Party representatives were hosted by the Greek Cypriot main opposition AKEL party, and they exchanged opinion on “the only way forward is a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution: neither two states, nor ‘new ideas’ undermining achieved core convergences.”

In a statement on behalf of the parties at the meeting, it was agreed that negotiations should resume as soon as possible.

“They agreed that the immediate de-escalation of tensions and the resumption of meaningful, result-oriented negotiations as soon as possible are vital for the future of Cyprus,” the statement said.

It also noted that political parties will seek ways to increase their cooperation to facilitate a solution in Cyprus.

It was also noted that the next meeting of the political party leaders and representatives will be hosted by United Cyprus Party (BKP)-National Unity Party (UBP) on November 30.

Representatives of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Democrat Party (DP), Cyprus Socialist Party (KSP), Communal  Democracy Party (TDP) and New Cyprus Party (YKP) from the North and AKEL, the Greens Party, DEPA, DISY and United Democrats from the South attended the meeting.