The United Nations has welcomed the continued engagement of Cyprus’ leaders, civil society, young people, women and communities across the island in efforts to advance peace and reconciliation, Khassim Diagne, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus, said.
In a message marking the International Day of Peace, Diagne encouraged everyone who calls Cyprus home to look beyond the divisions of the past and focus on the possibilities of the future.
‘Peace is possible’
Diagne reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Cyprus, adding that the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) would continue to fulfil its mandate in the service of peace and the people of the island.
“Let us use this day to reaffirm our shared hope for a Cyprus where dialogue prevails over division, cooperation over confrontation, and peace becomes a lasting reality for generations to come,” he said.
“Peace is possible. Let us invest in it together.”
Peace as a shared responsibility
The UN official said peace represents a shared commitment to dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation, as well as the belief that differences can be resolved through peaceful means.
“In Cyprus, the pursuit of peace remains a shared responsibility,” Diagne said.
For more than six decades, he added, UNFICYP has stood alongside the people of the island, helping to maintain stability, facilitate dialogue and support conditions conducive to reaching a comprehensive settlement.
Looking beyond past divisions
Diagne said the International Day of Peace offers an opportunity to reflect on the progress already made, recognise the challenges that remain and renew the commitment to a peaceful future for all Cypriots.
“Investing in peace means investing in dialogue, trust and understanding,” he said.
“Every act of cooperation and every effort to bridge divides contributes to a culture of peace.”
Diagne called on people across Cyprus to move beyond historical divisions and work towards a future based on dialogue and cooperation, stressing that achieving lasting peace remains a collective responsibility.
Source: CNA
