Press Release 24.2.16

Posted on February 24, 2016June 21, 2018 by Office of RTCYPP

UN efforts in Cyprus and Role of Religious Leaders Acknowledged

Margot Wallström, Minister for Foreign Affairs, welcomed the United Nations efforts to reach an agreement on the Cyprus issue and acknowledged the role of religious leaders of Cyprus in the reconciliation process at the Parliamentary debate on Foreign Affairs 2016 in the Swedish Parliament this morning, Wednesday 24.2.16.

Extract in English from the Statement of Government Policy 2016 on Cyprus:

“The Government welcomes the UN efforts to reach an agreement on the Cyprus issue. A solution would strengthen the UN’s authority and the EU’s ability to manage the challenges in its neighbourhood. Sweden has taken a unique initiative for cooperation between Cyprus’s religious leaders, who have an important role to play in the reconciliation process.”

You can see the full text of the Statement of Government Policy in the Parliamentary Debate on Foreign Policy 2016

http://www.government.se/speeches/2016/02/statement-of-government-policy-in-the-parliamentary-debate-on-foreign-affairs-2016/

Press Release 22.2.16

Posted on February 22, 2016June 21, 2018 by Office of RTCYPP

Religious Leaders Condemn Attack on Denia Mosque

The Religious Leaders of Cyprus and the Office of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process (RTCYPP) categorically condemn the arson attack against the recently renovated Mosque of Denia, in the Nicosia district.

H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos II of the Church of Cyprus and H.E. Dr Talip Atalay, Mufti of Cyprus and are in contact with one another through the facilitation of the RTCYPP since they heard about the attack yesterday. Both leaders made and released their own respective statements strongly condemning this heinous act.

“Such attacks made against places of faith and of worship, are actions that aim to disrupt the environment of peace and tranquility, to destroy the sense of security and to extinguish the hope for peace” stated the Mufti of Cyprus following the attack. “I expect from everyone involved to show the necessary sensitivity in order to prevent the repetition of such acts made against places of worship, regardless of the faith and the place.”

H.B. Archbishop Chrysostomos II in his official statement on 22 February 2016 stated, “The Church of Cyprus strongly disapproves and condemns any acts which are directed against places of worship, which restrict religious freedom and which are used to create a climate of discord, mistrust and tension.”

“ We are very saddened by these news. We should rebuild. Not destroy”, said. Rev Father Jerzy Kraj, religious leader of the Latin Catholic community of Cyprus and representative of the Apostolic delegation of the Holy See.

Imam Shakir Alemdar visited the Mosque today on behalf of the Mufti and the Office of RTCYPP. He met with the local community leaders and Greek Orthodox priest of the village. He affirmed that works had already begun by the government of the Republic of Cyprus to replace the burnt roof of the Mosque. “The event is very unfortunate, even more distressing that it is the second time this is happening at the same mosque.” said Imam Shakir Alemdar who is responsible to oversee the mosques in Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos on behalf of the Muftiate. “These are sensitive times and all necessary measures should be taken for such acts not to be repeated again at any place of worship, anywhere in Cyprus.”

Mufti Atalay welcomed the statement of President Anastasiades and the immediate efforts of the government authorities to restore the damage caused by the attack yesterday.

Press Announcement 10.2.16

Posted on February 10, 2016June 21, 2018 by Office of RTCYPP

The Religious Leaders of Cyprus will be meeting with Mr Espen Barth Eide, the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus and Ms Lisa Buttenheim, Deputy Special Advisor and Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Cyprus on Wednesday 10 February 2016 at the residence of the Swedish Ambassador Mr Klas Gierow. The meeting is facilitated and hosted by the Office of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden.

There will be a press briefing at the end of the meeting approximately at 14:30 outside the Swedish Ambassador’s residence at 8 Lidas Street, Nicosia. (Cameras are required to be set up before 14.00)

Religious leaders attending the meeting include:

His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Nova Justinia and All Cyprus accompanied by H.E Bishop Porfyrios of Neapolis

His Excellency Dr Talip Atalay, Mufti of Cyprus, accompanied by Imam Shakir Alemdar of Hala Sultan Tekke

His Excellency Archbishop Youssef Soueif of the Maronite Church of Cyprus

Rev Father Jerzy Kraj, Latin Patriarchal Vicar and Representative of the Apostolic Nunciature in Cyprus

Representative of His Eminence Archbishop Nareg of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church of Cyprus

Press Release 8.2.16

Posted on February 8, 2016June 21, 2018 by Office of RTCYPP

Religious leaders of Cyprus visit the Laboratory of the Committee on Missing Persons and record a joint appeal

Today, His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Nova Justinia and All Cyprus and His Excellency Dr Talip Atalay, Mufti of Cyprus, together with the representative of His Eminence Archbishop Nareg of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church of Cyprus, His Excellency Archbishop Youssef Soueif of the Maronite Church of Cyprus also representing the Latin Patriarchal Vicar and Representative of the Apostolic Nunciature in Cyprus, visited the Anthropological laboratory of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) accompanied by H.E. Ambassador Klas Gierow of Sweden. They met with the CMP Members and scientists and expressed their unanimous support to the Committee’s bi-communal humanitarian work

The religious leaders were briefed on the progress made, and the challenges faced, by the Committee. The Religious leaders praised the work of the CMP and pledged their unanimous support to their important mission.

At the end of their visit, the religious leaders also made statements calling on all Cypriots to provide information to the CMP on possible burial sites. “Any suffering of any human being is suffering for the whole world. We should not allow this immeasurable pain to continue. Anyone with information should come forth so that human dignity is restored and the relatives of those missing can find peace and consolation”, said the religious leaders.

The visit was initiated and organized by the Office of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden. (RTCYPP)

Following the visit to the CMP laboratory, the religious leaders had a lunch meeting at the Swedish Ambassador’s residence where they discussed the upcoming meeting with Mr Espen Barth Eide, the UN Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus and Ms Lisa Buttenheim, UN Secretary General Special Representative to Cyprus to be held on Wednesday, 10th February 2016, facilitated by the Office of RTCYPP and hosted by the Ambassador of Sweden.