Peace can only be established through actions, whatever the obstacles and this is the message that needs to come across, House President Annita Demetriou said on Thursday, on the occasion of International Day of Peace.

Speaking to representatives of NGOs during a meeting at the Home for Cooperation in Nicosia’s buffer zone, the House President said that visiting this specific place is symbolic because everyone there is working for peace and for the reunification of Cyprus. She said that she had an extremely constructive discussion with the representatives of six NGOs who briefed her on their activities.

Demetriou assured them that it is her absolute priority to reinforce efforts to resume the peace talks.

She said that obstacles exist but she is encouraged as she sees young people who have the will and hope to keep working for peace.

When asked by the press if she wants to send a message to the two Cyprus leaders, who are currently in New York, she wished them to keep the efforts, but went on to say that we all witnessed the statements made by Turkey’s President on Cyprus.

Demetriou said that there is a need for political will to solve the Cyprus problem adding that the Cyprus Republic and the Greek Cypriot side is sparing no effort for the resumption of the talks and condemns any claim by Turkey for a two-state solution which is unacceptable.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.