Stagnation on the Cyprus problem when accompanied by a Turkey relieved of any responsibilities always facilitated Turkish plans
Statement by Yiorgos Loucaides, AKEL Political Bureau member and AKEL-Left-New Parliamentary Representative
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 22nd November 2017, Nicosia
The stagnation on the Cyprus problem, especially when accompanied by Turkey relieved of any responsibilities, has always facilitated Turkish plans.
Unfortunately this is precisely what is happening today. The erroneous handlings made over the last few months, when Nicos Anastasiades transformed his positions for his pre-election campaign, setting as his priority the upcoming elections instead of the future generations, created a fertile ground for Turkey and the nationalist forces in the occupied areas to provoke new fait accompli and promote the upgrading of the illegal pseudo-state.
The recent press reports referring to the development of tourism in the enclosed area of Famagusta may not correspond to reality, however the intense behind-the-scenes actions that have been made lately by Turkish officials and the occupation authorities are a reality; actions seeking to create fait accompli in Varosha.
Serious concerns of course are also raised by everything that is taking place openly and concerning fait accompli on the ground in Morphou, the intention to intensify the sale of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas by upgrading the property committee, as well as the recent actions in the European Parliament that have brought back to the fore issues regarding the representation of the Turkish Cypriots and the regulation on direct trade with the occupied areas.
These actions and many others too, which every day that passes by are converting our occupied territories into a region of Turkey, can and must be resolutely combated. The best and most effective way to do so is by meeting the clear preconditions that the UN Secretary-General has set for the resumption of the negotiations and as a consequence within the overall solution of the Cyprus problem.
Only Stavros Malas can successfully fulfill this goal, given that the other candidates, either indirectly or openly, do not accept or are unable to meet the clear precondition set by UN Secretary-General Mr. Gutierrez for the resumption of the talks.
