Jeffrey Donaldson in Cyprus

I had meetings with senior political representatives and civil society organisations from both parts of Cyprus to share the Northern Ireland experience of peace-building.  We are planning to hold a conference in April 2013 in Malta where experts from Northern Ireland, South Africa and Bosnia will share their experience on issues such as reconciliation, dealing with Identity issues in a divided society and creating shared space in a post-conflict scenario.  We will also be examining the role of political parties and civil society in a peace process. Whilst the situation in Cyprus is unique in its own right and therefore the solution will be unique also, there are lessons that can be drawn from other peace processes that may assist Cypriots in coming to a settlement of the Cyprus question.