Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs Shaun Casey meets with the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process

On 8 March 2016, Office of Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process hosted the meeting of the religious leaders of Cyprus with the Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs of the US State Department Dr. Shaun Casey at the residence of the Swedish Ambassador Mr. Klas Gierow. Special Representative Casey is in Cyprus to meet with religious leaders of Cyprus and the Office of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden and learn about their work for peace and reconciliation.

“Religious leaders are the guideposts for their communities in espousing values of respect, offering pardon, welcoming the stranger, and caring for one another. These values are shared across religious traditions and historically have served as the cornerstone of reconciliation,” stated Dr. Casey at the Press Conference following the meeting.

“I have been amazed at the dedication and hard work of the religious leaders in Cyprus, who categorically condemn all forms of violence and are building ties amongst their followers towards a just, comprehensive and lasting solution for all of the people of Cyprus.” “The religious leaders I have met in Cyprus already are engaging courageously in conversations about tough issues, such as brokering church/mosque property issues, security concerns, territorial boundaries, and the like. While incredibly important and fruitful, the process of reconciliation begins with ordinary people. This is where religious leaders and communities are integral in illustrating that no conflict needs to be permanent. And this has and must continue to be modeled as Cyprus works toward a settlement…and beyond.”

“We had very fruitful, frank and interesting discussions with the Special Representative today and would like to express our appreciation to the government of the United States of America for their keen interest in the efforts of the religious leaders within the framework of the Religious Track”. Stated Peter Weiderud, Moderator of the Religious Track and Director of the Swedish Institute, Alexandria in welcoming Special Representative Casey.

As part of his visit Dr Casey is also visiting holy sites and meeting with members of the religious communities and civil society.

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

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.