NICOSIA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Over 30 Greek and Turkish Cypriot non-governmental organizations (NGO) launched Wednesday a peace initiative, as the leaders of the two communities are concluding the first round of accelerated talks aimed at solving the Cyprus problem.

    Themos Demetriou and Sener Elcil, representing 35 NGOs in both communities, said at a joint press conference that the United Cyprus Peace Initiative is an inter-communal effort which aims to support the ongoing negotiating process and to resist acts of extreme nationalism,.

    Demetriou said progress has been made at the UN-led talks between the leaders of the island's two communities, but "much too slow, much too fragile."

    "There is no future that it will be good either for Greek Cypriots or Turkish Cypriots unless there is a solution. And this is what we are here to help and promote," he added.

    Elcil said the biggest fear and concern of Greek and Turkish Cypriots is the division of the island. He added that nationalistic voices heard in both communities cannot be accepted.

    After detailing the principles on which the Peace Initiative was being based, the organizers said the movement plans to organize an event next month in support of the ongoing negotiations.