The Church of Cyprus is hosting a meeting of religious leaders, heads of state and representatives of different cultures and faiths.
The International Meeting for Peace event takes place from November 16-18. and is organised in cooperation with the Saint Egidio Community and is titled The Civilisation of Peace: Faiths and Cultures in Dialogue.
Yesterday, Cyprus President Demetris Christofias addressed the meeting, which will be attended by the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, the President of Montenegro, the President of Malta, the President of Albania and the President of Bosnia Herzegovina.
The Chairman of the Saint Egidio Community Marco Impagliazzo and professor Mario Marazziti have expressed hope that the inter-religious gathering will help open a dialogue between Cyprus and Turkey. They said they would like to contribute towards the restoration of pillaged Christian places of worship in Cyprus’ northern Turkish occupied areas.
Speaking at a press conference held in Rome, the organisers thanked the Church of Cyprus for hosting the 21st meeting and referred to Cyprus as an "island of dialogue".
The organisers said Turkey was not participating in the meeting because it does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus.
They added that efforts were being made in cooperation with the Cypriot authorities to make the necessary arrangements, but pointed out that the issue was "delicate".
The official opening took place yesterday afternoon. Discussions will follow today and tomorrow.
Archbishop Chrysostomos II said that heads of state and government and church leaders are invited to these meetings “to play a positive role for world peace.”
“Our effort is to send messages from this meeting all over the world for peace in Cyprus and the rest of the world," he said, stressing that peace in Cyprus must serve all the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and the other community groups on the island.