A new bicommunal initiative is aiming to strengthen ties between young Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots through shared activities and dialogue. The newly established Technical Committee on Youth, comprising 32 members — 16 from each community — seeks to create opportunities for meaningful interaction and relationship-building among the island’s younger generations.
Greek Cypriot co-chair Amalia Avraam said the committee’s focus will be on designing themed activities that bring young people together. “We want to create a platform through which, by organising events with different themes each time, we can help foster interpersonal relationships between youth from both sides,” she explained.
Reflecting on the committee’s first meeting on May 5, Avraam described the mood as “quite positive,” noting that it served primarily as an introductory session. Rather than discussing specific ideas, members focused on establishing the committee’s structure, planning the next meeting, and considering how frequently they will convene. “There was a good atmosphere on both sides,” she added.
The committee’s next meeting is set for May 21. Due to the range of youth-related topics and the number of participants, Avraam noted that subcommittees may be formed to address different priorities. “Once we identify the actions to launch first, we’ll determine how often each group will meet,” she said.
The committee was formed following a meeting in early April between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. It is part of a series of confidence-building measures agreed upon during an informal UN-sponsored meeting on the Cyprus issue in Geneva this March.
Guterres announced in early May the appointment of María Angela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his Personal Envoy on Cyprus, who is tasked to reengage with the parties in order to work on next steps on the Cyprus issue and advise him. Holguín completed a previous assignment as Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on Cyprus from January to July 2024.
Also read: Youth Parliament: Christodoulides optimistic about a solution
With information from: CNA
