CMP Holds 1000th Meeting: Cooperation Messages from Both Leaders

The CMP, reaching an important milestone with its 1000th meeting, was established in 1981 under the auspices of the United Nations. It operates in accordance with an agreement between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, aiming to identify the missing persons from both communities and return their remains to their families. The committee works in line with two resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly.

The CMP launched the "Exhumation, Identification, and Return of Remains of Missing Persons" project in 2006, with the goal of ending the painful uncertainty for the families of the missing. This significant project is co-financed by the European Union.

At the 1000th meeting, United Nations Special Representative to Cyprus and Head of UNFICYP Colin Stewart, EU officials, and representatives of the UN Development Program (UNDP), along with staff from all three CMP offices, were present. Presidents Ersin Tatar and Nikos Christodoulides also attended the meeting and reiterated their support for the CMP’s work.

Both leaders expressed their appreciation for the achievements of the CMP and reaffirmed their support for the bi-communal efforts aimed at ending the prolonged uncertainty faced by the families of the missing. They emphasized their commitment to continuing their support for the families and called on the public to provide any information about missing persons listed on the CMP’s official list to the authorities.

To date, a total of 1,052 missing persons from both Cypriot communities have been identified, their remains returned to their families, and they have been laid to rest with proper ceremonies. The CMP continues to rely on the support of donors for the identification of missing persons and the return of their remains, affirming that this collective effort will continue.