JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ

The Leaders and Representatives of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot political parties together with the MEPs of the High-Level Group with the Turkish-Cypriot Community of the European Parliament visited today the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque and the Saint Lazaros Church in Larnaca.

This symbolic political visit organized by the Embassy of the Slovak Republic aims at demonstrating the decisiveness for respecting the cultural inheritance of our people, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. These monuments are part of our civilization. The town of Larnaca is an example of this co-existence and must remain such.

Political parties also met with the Mayor of Larnaca Mr Andreas Moyseos and Members of the Municipal Council. They have jointly addressed the issue of xenophobia and racism.

We declare that xenophobia and racism especially when interlinked with extreme nationalism form a very dangerous mixture of violence which undermines peaceful co-existence and social progress. Furthermore, it does not solve the existing but rather creates more new problems.

Cyprus has historically been at the crossroads of civilization and the people are very familiar with the notions of friendship and solidarity. These principles continue to guide the policies of the political parties. The same principles guide the U.N. Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Union's Treaties.

The political parties condemn any form of rhetoric that ends up with violence. The only way for solving problems is peaceful dialogue.

Larnaca, 3 March 2011.