NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) – Christian and Muslim leaders in Cyprus have repeated their full support for ongoing talks aimed at reunifying the ethnically-split country, saying their united stand for peace serves as a strong example of cooperation in a region where conflict is often fueled by religion.
Greek Orthodox Christian Archbishop Chrysostomos, Muslim Grand Mufti Talip Atalay, Maronite Christian Archibshop Youssef Soueif and representatives from the Latin Catholic and Armenian Christian churches say they’re united in their support of the ongoing peace negotiations seen as the best chance at peace in decades.
The leaders made the remarks Wednesday after a meeting with U.N. envoy Espen Barth Eide, who praised them for their “strong leadership and strong will.”
Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup aiming at union with Greece.