World Council of Churches
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Bossey, Switzerland
18-21 February 2003

Statement on Cyprus

The World Council of Churches' Executive Committee, meeting from 18-21 February 2003, in Bossey, Switzerland, acknowledges that this is a critical week for the Cypriot people in their efforts to reunite their divided country. The WCC has closely monitored the developments in Cyprus since the 1974 Turkish military occupation of the island and its subsequent division. In addition to providing humanitarian assistance to the displaced, the WCC Executive Committee recalls its numerous public statements and actions in solidarity with the Church of Cyprus and all religious and ethnic communities of Cyprus, reiterating always that the WCC considers the present status quo unacceptable, as it violates the sovereignty and unity of Cyprus, the fundamental human rights of its people and poses threats to their security and to peace and stability in the wider region. The WCC has always especially affirmed its strong commitment to a peaceful and just settlement of the Cyprus Problem within UN Security Council resolutions.

The WCC Executive Committee has witnessed with encouragement the recent developments on the political and civil society levels in Cyprus, in particular, the increasing public, popular demand of the Turkish Cypriot community for the reunification of the island and its entry as such into the EU as well as the willingness of both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to live together peacefully once again. In light of this, the WCC Executive Committee wants to take this opportunity to express its appreciation for the continued role of the United Nations and the personal commitment of its Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, for providing his good offices to resume negotiations between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leadership after a lengthy period of stalemate.

We especially welcome both the efforts of the UN Secretary General in providing the Basis for Agreement on A Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem, of 11 November 2002, (otherwise referred to as the “Annan Plan”) which entails a blueprint for a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem based on UN Security Council resolutions and the establishment of a Cypriot federation, as a basis for negotiations, as well as the decision of the leaders of European Union, at the Copenhagen Summit on 12-13 December, 2002 to accept Cyprus as a full member of the Union by 2004.

Bringing about a sustainable peaceful solution to a political conflict can be a long and arduous process, which requires the patience and good will of all parties concerned. We pray that the day when all communities in Cyprus will trust one another again and live together in harmony and peace, is now near. We pray for the leaders of both communities, as primary actors faced with the responsibility to find a just and durable peace, to act with wisdom and courage. The international community, in its turn, must continue its tireless efforts to accompany the people of Cyprus in reaching a solution that will provide all ethnic and religious groups in Cyprus with a feeling of certainty, security and justice. At this important juncture in the history of this island all religious communities in Cyprus must be guided by the spirit of reconciliation and prophetic vision to live this moment of kairos. The WCC Executive Committee in its turn wants to assure the Church and all people of Cyprus that it will continue to stand in solidarity with them in their quest for peace, justice and prosperity.