“This window of opportunity must not be missed”

NICOSIA ECONOMIC FORUM JOINT STATEMENT

This statement is issued by the Nicosia Economic Forum, comprised of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO), the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and the Union of Hellenic Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UHCCI), in view of the meetings in Geneva for the settlement of the Cyprus problem.

The Forum congratulates the Cypriot leaders for their hard work in finding a settlement and expresses its firm support to their efforts towards their shared goal.

The Forum underlines that there are numerous studies on the economic benefits of the solution for the Cyprus issue and reiterates that a settlement will boost the economic potential in the region too, through the cooperation of the economic actors of the respective countries. Furthermore, a functional and viable settlement will transform the island into a nucleus of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean area.

As the leading business organisations of Cyprus, Turkey and Greece, we call upon both Cypriot leaders and all relevant parties to conclude their efforts with a comprehensive plan during their meetings in Geneva. This window of opportunity must not be missed. We also call upon all citizens, political forces, civil society organisations, media and other groups to contribute positively and support the leaders for a successful outcome. This is of utmost importance since a political agreement reached by the two leaders will be submitted to the consent of the two Cypriot communities at simultaneous referenda. The Cyprus problem has been on the international agenda for decades and has prevented the island from reaching its full potential. We therefore feel obliged to do everything possible in order to relieve future generations of this burden. All parties have a historic responsibility to do their utmost in Geneva so as to reach an agreement on a functional and viable solution. The Nicosia Economic Forum reiterates its readiness to continue supporting the process as it has been since its establishment in 2014.