COMMON DECLARATION

The youth organizations of EDON, CTP Youth Branch, NEDHSY, BDH Youth Branch, NEDIK, TKP Youth Branch, NEOS, YBH Youth, ONED, CABP Youth Branch, BKP Youth Branch, Young Ecologists and KSP Youth Branch, organizers of the Bi-communal Youth Event which is going to take place in Akropolis Park in Nicosia on 28^th March 2004, under the slogan “Youth for a United Cyprus Based on Federal Solution”, declare the following:

1. Reaffirm their commitment for a peaceful, united Cyprus based on federal solution to accede European Union on May 1st, 2004.
2. Remain focused on the efforts of the UN to achieve a solution through negotiations on the basis of Annan Plan. Such a settlement must provide for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with a single sovereignty and one international personality, on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979 and be in accordance to the UN Charter, International Law and acquis Communautaire. The solution must respect the basic human rights, the fundamental freedoms and civil liberties of all Cypriots and observe the principle of political equality of both communities.
3. Expect by the EU and the International Community as a whole, to act at their level best to support the efforts of the UN. Such a revived initiative must aim at achieving a comprehensive, workable and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem, as described above.
4. Urge all sides to negotiate within the philosophy of the Annan Plan, in order to fill in the remaining gaps and to seek those changes that are in favour of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike, and make the Plan more functional and thus the solution more viable, therefore, reaching a consensus before the third stage of the agreed negotiation timetable.
5. Underline that the partial lifting of restrictions on the freedom of movement since April 2003 and the witnessed reunion and interaction between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots has provided the most concrete evidence of the strong willingness that exists among ordinary people for peace and reunification. At the same time the supporters of the status quo witness the groundlessness of their nationalist policies of segregation and division, on an everyday basis.
6. The youth of Cyprus will continue the struggle for promoting peace and rapprochement thus strengthening our cause for a solution and the reunification of our common country. We want Cyprus to enter the European Union reunited on May the first. The youth of Cyprus is no longer misled by the nationalist policies of segregation and division. Our vision is one of a united Cyprus based on federal solution, with its people living in peace, security, democracy and prosperity.

  Nicosia 26^th March 2004