The Elders

Independent global leaders working together for peace and human rights.

Cyprus

In response to over three decades of conflict and division between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, The Elders are supporting local initiatives working for reconciliation and peace at the grassroots level.

Videos 11 September 2009

Calling for a greater role for women in the Cyprus peace process

As part of their September 2009 Cyprus visit, the Elders held meetings in the UN buffer zone in Nicosia – the only place that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can easily meet - with leading women from politics, civil society, business, journalism and academia. Speaking afterwards to local media they called for a greater role for women in the peace process in Cyprus.

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Guest blog Rana Zincir Celal, 11 September 2009

Hope, change & women

Rana Zincir Celal coordinates the Cyprus Chapter of the Greek-Turkish Forum. Following a meeting between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot women and Elders' Lakhdar Brahimi and Gro Brundtland, she writes about the need for women to be more involved in the peace process in Cyprus

Press release 11 September 2009

Cyprus peace process going well, but facing challenges

The Elders present their conclusions and recommendations after travelling to Ankara, Athens and Cyprus. During the four-day visit they found strong willingness and desire on all sides to work towards a sustainable peace in Cyprus, but also a degree of scepticism about the prospect of a successful outcome.

Also available in Ελληνικά & Türkçe (PDF).

Photos 10 September 2009

Supporting civil society as peace talks enter crucial new phase

Gro Brundtland and Lakhdar Brahimi arrived in Cyprus at a critical time, just as the second phase of negotiations on reunification of the island began. The Elders met leading women from politics, business and civil society, encouraging them to press for a more active role for women in the peace process. They also met Cypriots working on reconciliation, who are trying to develop a shared understanding of the painful issues of the past.

See photos

Photos 10 September 2009

Fostering neighbourly support - The Elders in Ankara and Athens

During their September 2009 trip to Cyprus, Elders Lakhdar Brahimi and Gro Brundtland visited Ankara and Athens to better understand the views of the island’s most important neighbours.

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Press release 08 September 2009

The Elders begin regional visit to support Cyprus peace process

With negotiations between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders now entering their second phase, Lakhdar Brahimi and Gro Brundtland travel to Turkey, Greece and Cyprus to urge regional support and encouragement for the peace process in Cyprus.

News Desmond Tutu, 07 September 2009

Supporting a solution in Cyprus

Shortly before returning to Cyprus with his fellow Elders Lakhdar Brahimi and Gro Brundtland, Desmond Tutu argues in Havadis that both sides must take advantage of the opportunity for peace and unity before it is lost.

Press release 02 September 2009

Elders return to Cyprus as peace process enters second phase

A year after talks to reunify the divided island of Cyprus began, Desmond Tutu, Lakhdar Brahimi and Gro Brundtland will visit Ankara, Athens and Cyprus to discuss issues related to the peace process with political leaders.

Also available in Ελληνικά and Türkçe (PDF).

News Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Lakhdar Brahimi, 07 May 2009

Cyprus's last and best chance

Following the results of the parliamentary elections in northern Cyprus, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter and Lakhdar Brahimi argue that time is running out on the best chance in thirty years for a settlement on the island. This article first appeared in Today's Zaman, The Cyprus Mail and The Guatemala Times.

Videos 28 January 2009

Elders meet Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, October 2008

Three members of The Elders visited Cyprus to lend their support to the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, and to commend Mr Demetris Christofias and Mr Mehmet Ali Talat for their efforts to reunify the island. The Elders urge the international community to embrace the fact that a lasting settlement is within reach, and to actively support the leaders and the peace process.