Deep concern about developments on the Cyprus Problem

 

Statement of Georgos Loucaides, AKEL C.C. Press Spokesperson 

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 26th November 2014, Nicosia

 

As AKEL, we express our deep concern about the developments with regards natural gas and the negotiation procedure on the Cyprus problem.

Unquestionably the responsibility for the crisis lies with Turkey. We reiterate our firm position that we do not accept any threats and blackmail aimed at bringing the issue of natural gas to the negotiating table. Such a development would transform the natural gas issue from an incentive to a counter-incentive for a solution of the Cyprus problem.

However, to prevent this real danger, we must take initiatives capable of exerting pressure and exposing Turkey so that it terminates its provocations and be able to resume the negotiation process. AKEL had submitted specific proposals to the Council of Political Leaders which, however, were not taken into account, indeed without even any convincing explanation or an alternative proposal put forward.

If the resumption of talks is not feasible, then other and extremely undesirable alternatives will be sought. The recent unacceptable statement made by former Labour Party UK Foreign Minister Jack Straw speaks for itself. We remind the President of the Republic of his favourite phrase that in politics one must choose to be beneficial and useful than rather than popular. We expect him to change direction and assume his responsibilities, even at this late stage. Otherwise we will be in danger of facing a painful dilemma, namely either the collapse of the negotiation procedure or its resumption with the natural gas issue on the table.