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For over 31 years Cyprus,
a member state of the European Union, has been a divided country
notwithstanding developments in the political process. Negotiations
have been carried out with the aim of solving the Cyprus Problem
and so far some bilateral agreements have been reached between the
Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots.
The partial opening of
crossing points along the Green Line has enabled contacts between
Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and proved the willingness of
both Communities to live together in a united country, enjoying
freedom, peace, democracy and economic prosperity.
From early on Greek
Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot women managed, with the support of foreign
Embassies and European Bodies, to come together at various meetings
held under very difficult conditions, to join forces in the struggle
for peace. However women do not participate in official negotiations,
as they are absent from decision making bodies.
United Nations Security
Council Resolution 1325 on 'Women, Peace and Security' acknowledges
the important role women can play in the process of conflict resolution
and stresses the need for their equal participation and full involvement
in peace processes.
Socialist International
Women therefore
welcomes all
efforts aimed at solving the Cyprus Problem and the building of
peace and democracy;
welcomes the economic
and social benefits and facilities provided by the Cyprus Government
to the Turkish Cypriots;
stresses the
fact that the peace process must take into account the concerns
and needs of both women and men and underlines that the integration
of a gender perspective is a sine qua non in the process of rehabilitation,
reconciliation, reintegration and post conflict reconstruction;
welcomes all
meetings between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot women, especially
the series of meetings convened by the Socialist Women's Movement
of EDEK and calls on its member organisations in the region to create
favourable conditions for common action towards building a peaceful
and prosperous country and
calls on all parties
involved to include women in official negotiations in accordance
with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on 'Women,
Peace and Security' and reaffirms that a settlement of the
Cyprus Problem must be based on the relevant United Nations Security
Council resolutions, international treaties founding the state of
Cyprus and in accordance
with international law and the acquis communautaire.
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