AKEL ON LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON THE CYPRUS PROBLEM
Statement by Georgos Loucaides, AKEL C.C. Spokesperson
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 25th July 2014, Nicosia
As AKEL, we reserve the right to state our position in a comprehensive way on the developments surrounding the Cyprus problem when we will have been briefed officially about yesterday’s critical meeting between leaders of the two communities. It is, however, obvious that the prospects are bleak.
We had emphatically and repeatedly stressed that Eroglu is seeking to fulfill two objectives at the talks: on the one hand, he is trying to free himself from the Christofias-Talat convergences and on the other to apportion the blame on President Anastasiades. This is the reason why he was stating playing it safe that he wants to continue the talks from where they had left off, fully aware of Mr. Anastasiades’ reluctance to do the same. As a result, the second phase of the negotiations is being completed with a significant widening of the gap, given that the Turkish Cypriot side has seized the opportunity to once again submit unacceptable positions on the table.
Mr. Eroglou’s belated admission that he does not accept the Downer document on the convergences but only the Christofias – Talat documents proves the correctness of AKEL’s assessments. The relevant documents recorded only a small part of the convergences and do not include the majority of the most important convergences on the core issues.
As AKEL, we cannot but express our concern about the situation that is evolving. If and when the third phase of the talks begins, namely the negotiation of positions, a serious reflection is required, far from any petty-petty considerations and petty-political expediencies. Enough damage has already been done. Even at this stage, it is necessary to preserve the achievements of the talks that have been agreed and continue the negotiation on the pending substantive issues. If an attempt is made for a negotiation on the basis of the documents that have been submitted during the second phase, which significantly widen the gap between the two sides, AKEL warns of the enormous danger of a deadlock, with responsibilities being apportioned on our side as well. The consequences of such a development would be tragic for Cyprus and our people.