AKEL New Year Declaration

 

1st January 2016, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

AKEL conveys its best wishes to the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins, for the New Year, for happiness and prosperity, the speedy termination of the occupation and for the reunification of our homeland in conditions of freedom and peace.

We address our best wishes also to our compatriots Cypriots abroad, who are waging their own struggle to assist and promote the just cause of our Cyprus.

We also address our best wishes to all immigrants who are living and working in Cyprus and whose thoughts during these festive days quite naturally are with their own country, families and beloved ones.

Compatriots,

2015 was a difficult year due to the continuing adverse conditions in the economy. The formal conclusion of the Memorandum is expected in 2016 comes at the cost of the further deterioration in the position of the vast majority of the Cypriot people. According to the government’s own declaration a change in the anti-social policies implemented is not expected. Unfortunately, neither the numbers, but nor the people are prospering. All the Anastasiades-DISY government has accomplished as a result of the policies it has implemented is a brutal redistribution of wealth from the poorest to the richest strata and the further widening of inequality.

In 2015, due to the assumption by Akinci of the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community, as well as the utilisation of the Christofias-Talat convergences, after some years, a window of opportunity has opened for the solution of the Cyprus problem. 2016 is expected to be a landmark year for the solution of the Cyprus problem. The path of pursuing a comprehensive solution through the negotiation procedure remains difficult and requires commitment to positions of principle, determination and a sincere will to find an honourable compromise. It is in this last parameter in particular where Turkey’s consistency between its words and actions will be judged which must show in practice its will for a solution.

The ongoing imperialist attacks and aggressions aiming to control the energy sources in combination with the neoliberal onslaught imposed in most of the world, continue to victimize the peoples. Hunger, poverty and misery are the daily life experience for tens of millions of people. The environmental destruction that accompanies capitalist development is a development which, if not reversed, will lead to the land not being able any longer to sustain life as we know it. The future generations deserve better.

Compatriots,

In outlining 2015, it becomes clear that 2016 also promises to be a difficult year for Cyprus, our people and workers.

As AKEL, we assure that we will continue to struggle consistently and be in the forefront for a solution of the Cyprus problem based on principles and for the rapprochement of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

As the main opposition party, AKEL will continue to represent a powerful pole of resistance against the government’s neoliberal policies for brutal austerity, deregulation and privatization. Constantly strengthening the ties of the Party with our people and workers, AKEL will continue with even greater determination to defend society, which is under an unprecedented attack.

Through the undertaking of constant initiatives and the submission of proposals and suggestions for a fair and balanced distribution of the burden of the crisis, AKEL will continue to strive for the exit from the dead-end policy of austerity and for the speediest possible recovery of the Cyprus economy.

Preconditions are being formed for the forging of broader partnerships both within and outside the House of Representatives to defend and promote the interests of Cyprus and the Cypriot people. AKEL will take the lead in this direction and calls on all those who identify with these objectives to rally and unite forces.

Through the struggles and mobilizations of workers and our people, we can keep alive and renew the hope for the future.

AKEL will continue to fight against nationalism-chauvinism, racism and the inhumane ideologies of the extreme right.

AKEL as a genuine internationalist Party expresses its solidarity with all the peoples and workers of the world who are struggling against imperialism, neoliberalism and the impact of the crisis for democratic and labour rights, for social gains, for peace and socialism.

The forces of labour are and remain the agencies of progress and the hope for humanity. With organized political, social and class struggles humanity is taking the difficult path for a bright future. And nobody can halt this path, no matter how many difficulties may exist.

Happy new year to everyone!

The Central Committee of AKEL