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Asim Akansoy, Secretary-General of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), shared insights from his recent participation in a program in Bern, Switzerland, held from March 2-7, focused on societal dynamics, representation, and participation models. He emphasized that collective wisdom would remain central in shaping future negotiation processes.
Akansoy pointed to Switzerland's "spirit of solidarity" and the cooperation fostered through its federal system, where four linguistic communities, German, French, Italian, and Romansh, collaborate to maintain social cohesion. This model, he explained, allows each canton to have autonomy over issues like education and internal security, promoting "unity in diversity."
The CTP leader also commended Switzerland's direct democracy, where tools such as referendums give citizens the power to influence decisions. He noted that while negotiations may be slow, shared goals help overcome obstacles.
Regarding political culture, Akansoy discussed Switzerland’s semi-professional political framework, where politicians balance their duties with other careers. This setup encourages a focus on collective well-being over individual ambition.
The event, attended by representatives from eight Cypriot political parties and supported by the Swiss Foreign Ministry and the EU, provided an opportunity for reflection on federal models and dialogue between communities. Akansoy reaffirmed the CTP’s commitment to resolving the Cyprus issue, emphasizing that "solidarity, consensus, and collective wisdom" would continue to guide their approach to negotiations.
With information from Cyprus Mirror.
