AKEL GS statements on its visit to Turkey
AKEL GS: “I do not think there will be agreement on Cyprus by May”
Cyprus News Agency CNA, Turkey, 22/1/2016, 18:06
Speaking to a panel held at the Istanbul Kultur University, with the participation of Turkish students and academics, the General Secretary of AKEL Andros Kyprianou expressed the view that there will not be an agreement on the Cyprus problem by May.
The General Secretary of AKEL said that there are convergences and progress in the negotiations, but there are still differences on the property and territorial issue, as well as on the issue of security. “We will seek to discuss all of these issues in our meeting tomorrow,” said the General Secretary of AKEL. At tomorrow’s meeting the issue of guarantees will also be discussed.
Asked if he was optimistic or pessimistic, Mr. Kyprianou replied that this will be determined in tomorrow’s meetings. He noted that the positions to be conveyed will not deviate from the long-standing positions of the National Council on the Cyprus problem. As he said, before arriving in Istanbul he met with President Anastasiades as he doesn’t wish to present any positions beyond the official positions of the Greek Cypriot side.
On the issue of the funding of the solution, the General Secretary of AKEL said that the support of the international community is required in order to solve this matter, adding that there are some ideas, but said he did not want to refer to them publicly.
He considers that the amounts reported by the Turkish side are excessive, but he added that the amount will depend on how many Greek Cypriots will return to their homes under Greek Cypriot administration.
Asked about the Annan plan, the General Secretary of AKEL said that it was not the perfect plan, adding that it is history and that now we have to see what we have before us.
——————————————————————————————
The General Secretary of AKEL will meet with Davutoglu and Cavusoglu in Turkey
CNA – Nicosia 23/1/2016 09:31
Today the General Secretary of AKEL Andros Kyprianou will have separate meetings with the Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, during which he will seek to discuss, inter alia, the issue of security and guarantees, the property and territorial issue, within the framework of the visit taking place to Istanbul.
Speaking at a meeting yesterday at the Istanbul Kultur University, the General Secretary of AKEL said that there are convergences and progress in the negotiations, but there are still differences on the issue of security, as well as on the property and territorial issue.
“We will seek to discuss all these issues at our meetings tomorrow,” he said, adding that the issue of guarantees will also be discussed.
Asked if he was optimistic or pessimistic, Mr. Kyprianou replied that this will be determined by the meetings he will have.
The positions that will be transmitted, he said, will not depart from the long-standing positions of the National Council on the Cyprus problem. He clarified at the same time that before the visit he also met with President Anastasiades because he does not want to present positions other than the official positions of the Greek Cypriot side.
—————————————————–
AKEL GS: After the meeting with Davutoglu we will know where we stand
Cyprus News Agency CNA, 23/1/2016, 21:08
We know where we stand now, said the General Secretary of AKEL Andros Kyprianou after his meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister at the offices of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Istanbul that lasted for over an hour. Ahmet Davutoglu told the AKEL delegation that they should maintain contact, but did not say anything specific about the next meeting.
The General Secretary of AKEL said the AKEL delegation had a long and important meeting with Ahmet Davutoglu in the sense that they had an opportunity, on the one hand to convey the long-standing positions of the Greek Cypriot side to the Turkish Prime Minister and on the other hand to listen to their own views and approaches on the issues which they feel are extremely important.
“I think it was a very interesting meeting, which leaves a lot of room,” said Andros Kyprianou.
Of course, he added, “I want to make it clear that the road to the solution will not be easy,” noting that, “we need to convince them as regards a number of issues which are fixed positions of our side.”
“Our view is that we should continue this effort, we have arguments, we have justice on our side and I am absolutely convinced that we can convince them on some issues,” he said.
The General Secretary of AKEL said Ahmet Davutoglu has expressed Turkey’s desire and will to contribute to these efforts.
“He considers that the solution of the Cyprus problem will contribute greatly to achieving cooperation in south-eastern Mediterranean and considers that a united Cyprus, along with Turkey and Greece, can play an important role in this context”, he noted.
Asked if he has realized that Ankara really wants a solution to the Cyprus problem, the General Secretary of AKEL replied: “This is what Mr. Davutoglu said repeatedly during our meeting. I repeat, whether such a solution is achieved will depend on the positions to be submitted at the negotiating table. We have explained our positions to the Turkish Prime Minister on important issues, and I repeat that we must convince them about some things.”
Asked if now he is optimistic or pessimistic after the meeting Mr. Kyprianou said that, “We have much work to do, there is room, the point is to succeed in convincing.”
Asked about the cost of the solution, the General Secretary of AKEL said that at a first meeting they didn’t have the possibility to discuss all the issues. “We have raised the issue of the cost of the solution, but not gone into any details,” he said.
Asked what he means “we must convince” and on what issues, if they discussed the issue of guarantees, Mr. Kyprianou said they did discuss the issue of guarantees. “The Turkish Prime Minister discusses. The point is to convince them of the correctness of our positions,” he said.
Asked whether Turkey is ready to discuss the issue of security and does not insist on the existing guarantees, the General Secretary of AKEL said that this has been raised repeatedly by the Turkish Cypriot leader. “That is to say, from the moment the Greek Cypriots have concerns about the existing guarantee system, then we must discuss the issue. So the question will be discussed, “said Andros Kyprianou.
Asked if it is already being discussed, the General Secretary of AKEL said verbatim, “It will be discussed.”
Asked if Turkey raised the question of a four-party conference, Andros Kyprianou replied “No, no nothing, none of all these.”
He said they discussed the approaches of the Greek Cypriot side, as they had agreed with the President of the Republic and said they also discussed the property issue.
Asked if Mr. Davutoglu gave him some message to be conveyed to President Anastasiades, Andros Kyprianou said no, but it was clear that Turkey wants a solution. It will seek to contribute in this direction, because, as he told them in a clear manner, we all have to gain from achieving the solution of the Cyprus problem. Turkey and Greece, and above all of course, Cypriots themselves.
Asked if he was asked to contribute in some specific way as the leader of AKEL, Andros Kyprianou said the Turkish Prime Minister knows the enduring role AKEL is playing with regards the efforts to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem and he expects that AKEL will play a concrete role in this effort. He said it in a clear manner, he noted.
Asked if with this meeting we have gone a step forward, the General Secretary of AKEL replied that he considers we have. “At least we know where we stand now. And I think there is room, which will have to find a way to utilize,” he said.
You know, Mr. Kyprianou pointed out, “our own approach is that it is through discussions that problems are solved, not if each side is entrenched in its positions. If you do not discuss, you can’t bridge disagreements and differences. There are disagreements and differences. A way must be found to solve them”.
Asked whether there would be a meeting with President Anastasiades when he returns to Cyprus, the General Secretary of AKEL replied yes, but said perhaps he will also inform him by phone before returning.
The General Secretary of AKEL also said that when they left the meeting, the Turkish Prime Minister said, “We must maintain contact,” but did not discuss anything specific.
—————————————————
AKEL GS: Turkey supports Akinci in the efforts for a solution as regards the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem
CNA – Cyprus/Larnaca 24/1/2016, 18:08
The General Secretary of AKEL Andros Kyprianou got the message that Turkey supports Mustafa Akinci in the efforts for a solution of the Cyprus problem, where the Turkish Cypriot leader has full discretion to handle the issues regarding the internal aspects of the problem, while Ankara is more interested in issues relating to security and guarantees, during the meetings he had in Istanbul with the Turkish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
He went on to say that it is evident from the discussions held that Turkey wants to play a role on the issues of security in a different way than today and as he noted, they have left room for dialogue to see whether there is a possibility of an agreed approach around these issues, that will be accepted by both communities.
Speaking at Larnaca Airport on his return from Istanbul, Mr. Kyprianou said that “the visit has fulfilled the objectives we had set from the outset, that is to meet with the Turkish Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister and to put forth to them the timeless positions of the Greek Cypriot side as they have been formulated by the National Council.”
We developed in a well-documented way our views and positions on the important pending issues, he said, adding that “the second objective was to hear from their part their positions on these issues and to possibly try to diagnose what might be hidden behind their words.”
According to Andros Kyprianou, “the messages we got from this meeting, I think will help us as the Greek Cypriot side to formulate tactics, but also with regards the substantive handling of the issues that should be made for the continuation of the talks on the Cyprus problem. The first and important message we received is that it seems the leadership of Turkey understands that without a solution of the Cyprus problem it will be very difficult for Turkey to play an important role in the south eastern Mediterranean. While on the contrary if there is a solution that will be acceptable to both the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots, a completely different situation would evolve that will enable it to seek cooperation in order to play a key role in developments in our wider region.”
He also said that “the Turkish Prime Minister has specifically told us that they would be interested in a cooperation with Greece and Cyprus after the solution of the Cyprus problem in order to contribute to the development of the region. Another message they have given us is that they support Mr. Akinci in his efforts at the negotiating table. They have said to us characteristically that with regards the issues of the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem Mr. Akinci has full discretion to handle internal matters and that they are more interested in issues relating to security, namely the issues of guarantees and demilitarization, from what we understand.”
It is evident from the discussions we have had, “that they themselves want to play a role in security matters in a different way than today; they have left room to conduct a dialogue, a discussion to be waged to see whether there is a possibility of an agreed approach around these issues, which will be accepted by both communities.”
Asked whether the Turkish side are discussing this particular issue, Mr. Kyprianou replied affirmatively, adding that “all these messages are messages that we have taken and we must look at to find a concrete application at the negotiating table. If there is no implementation of all of these messages, they also need to understand, but we realize too that we cannot move forward with regards the solution to the Cyprus problem.”
We, he continued, “made it clear from our part that a solution can only be achieved if and when those conditions are created that would allow both sides to say “yes” in referenda, if and when of course there is a conclusion at an agreement and we made it clear that AKEL will not accept any kind of a solution. The solution must meet the fundamental principles that we have set and, of course, to be within the agreed framework agreed in 1977 and that has been reaffirmed so far in many cases.”
The General Secretary of AKEL reiterated that “what we put forth in these meetings were the long-standing positions of the National Council as we outlined them of course during the meeting we had with the President of the Republic and we insisted on these principles. It is evident there are differences and disagreements between us and this was evident during the discussions that we conducted.”
He noted that, “Our approach is that there and where there are differences and disagreements, the way to solve them is through dialogue. You cannot otherwise solve any differences and disagreements that exist. We believe that the effort of the negotiations should continue, become systematic and much more specific as regards the pending issues, while at the same time we need to elaborate ideas, thoughts which while not departing from the agreed principles, will create the conditions for an agreement on the important pending issues.”
He also said that this morning he briefed the President of the Republic on the meetings he had in Istanbul. He added that he even spoke with the Greek Foreign Minister, who later today will go to Istanbul “where tomorrow he will have informal meetings and discussions with his Turkish counterpart. I think it would be useful for him to know what has transpired in the discussions we had with the Turkish Prime Minister and the Turkish Foreign Minister.”
Mr. Kyprianou also said that with the Turkish officials he discussed “our desire to maintain an open line of communication. We think it is important, if and when important issues arise which we would like to convey to them, there is this open hotline of communication and I sincerely hope we can have this communication. The Turkish Foreign Minister has expressed his desire to continue these discussions we have had.”
He reiterated that “in our view the objectives that we set going in Athens and then to Istanbul have been fulfilled and we think that we are now in a much better position to know about how the different issues need to be handled, so if course there is a possibility, we can reach an agreement.”
Asked whether there is a possibility that Turkey will be able to abandon its guarantor rights, the General Secretary of AKEL replied that “Turkey is ready to discuss. Now, if through the discussions it will arrive to such a conclusion, I wish and hope. Our own position is clear – that we cannot accept guarantees from Turkey and of course in no case can we accept unilateral rights of intervention or guarantees from Turkey. For us, the fact that they are ready to discuss this issue is significant.”
Mr. Kyprianou was asked to explain his statement yesterday according to which we also have a lot to do to convince. He explained that “the Turkish Prime Minister repeated constantly that Turkey is ready to work for the solution and that it wants a solution. I had stressed yesterday that this must be proved at the negotiation table. It is not through words where someone appears as ready to contribute to the efforts for a solution, but it is in practice, by deeds. Beyond that, we have to persuade.”
He brought as an example the issue of security and said the Turkish side “have an opinion, a starting point that Turkey must be a guarantor country because the Turkish Cypriots on the island are few in number and this causes them feelings of anxiety. We must convince them that these feelings of anxiety can be met differently. This is what I meant that it is possible on such issues when we elaborate ideas we can overcome the problems that exist. ”
Mr. Kyprianou added that he considers “extremely important that they have told us in a quite clear way that Mr. Akinci has the decisive role on the internal aspects. Only on the issues of security do they want to have a role and a say to a great degree. And of course the fact that they had no serious arguments to put forth to our arguments during the discussion there.”
The General Secretary of AKEL was asked to comment on statements made by the Turkish Foreign Minister, who speaking only to Turkish journalists referred to the visit of Mr. Kyprianou in Istanbul, saying that things have changed in AKEL too, that the party has a different attitude at this moment and that they find a fertile ground, according to a journalist’s comment. The Turkish Foreign Minister, as had been said, also referred to the name of Demetris Christofias and said that Andros Kyprianou has a different stance on the Cyprus problem, according always again to what the journalist referred to Mr. Kyprianou.
The General Secretary of AKEL said that he had asked the representative of the Turkish Foreign Ministry to translate approximately what the Minister was saying. He added that in essence “Mr. Cavusoglu had been pressured by reporters to clarify why Andros Kyprianou and AKEL were invited to Istanbul and not either Mr. Anastasiades, or the leader of DISY party. He replied that there is a personal acquaintance dating, friendly relations, referred to the role played by AKEL after when the journalists were exerting pressure on him to say something else, he mentioned this.”
AKEL, continued Mr.. Kyprianou, ” has always upheld the same positions and they are unchanged” and recalled that “when Demetris Christofias was in the Presidency of the Republic, AKEL;’s positions were concrete and very steadfast, identical with Demetris Christofias. We supported these positions back then as well, in spite of the attacks we came under. We reiterate the same positions today because we believe that these positions have been vindicated by developments themselves.”
He added that “in AKEL the Party’s positions are always not decided by the General Secretary. Our positions are decided by the respective Congresses of the Party and the given General Secretaries of AKEL express these Congress decisions, namely the positions as formulated by our Party Congresses. Ezekias Papaioannou, Demetris Christofias and Andros Kyprianou set out precisely these positions and if someone sees what the AKEL Congress decisions were over time on the Cyprus problem he/she will conclude that they are exactly the same positions that we express today. ”
Furthermore, he also explained that there are no differences whatsoever, expressing the view that “the Turkish Minister was simply looking to support with arguments the reason why he addressed the invitation to us.”
———————————-
AKEL GS statements after briefing the President of the Republic
26th January 2016, “REPORTE” news
The General Secretary of AKEL handed the minutes of the meetings held in Turkey to the President of the Republic and briefed him in detail about the meeting with the Foreign Minister of Greece in Athens before his visit to Istanbul, while he will also seek to inform the political leaders as well. Andros Kyprianou said he has already arranged a meeting next week with the President of DISY party Averof Neophytou.
Speaking after their meeting at the Presidential Palace, which lasted for approximately an hour, Mr. Kyprianou, accompanied by the member of the Political Bureau of the C.C. of AKEL Toumazos Tselepis, who accompanied him in all the meetings in Turkey, said that President Anastasiades briefed him on his contacts in Davos, about which he will inform the National Council too on Monday. His meeting with President Anastasiades was very useful, Andros Kyprianou added, saying the most useful were the meetings in Athens and Istanbul.
The messages they want to convey us from Turkey are positive. The meetings were conducted in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, however, they are not enough to solve the Cyprus problem, he said. “The problem will be solved at the negotiating table. That is where the real and genuine must be shown in order to resolve issues of vital importance in a way that will meet the aspirations of both communities. If you try to impose the interests of one community over the other I think there will be no solution.” We, he added, are always discussing on the basis of the agreed frameworks, based on principles, not outside and deviating from principles.
Asked if the Turkish officials with whom he met referred to the issues on which they would like the Greek Cypriots to change their position based also on the statements made by Joe Biden after his meeting with Erdogan in Turkey, Mr. Kyprianou referred to the Turkish President’s statements who requested from the US Vice-President to encourage the Greek Cypriots to proceed with the negotiations speedily, as he himself read. I didn’t have the role of negotiator in the meetings with Davutoglu and Cavusoglu, he said, but conveyed some positions that had been agreed with the President of the Republic, as these positions have over time been adopted by the National Council. They did not exert pressure on us, nor did they ask for something either, he said.
Asked if he found that Turkey is moving even just a little bit from its previous positions on the issue of the guarantees, the General Secretary of AKEL replied that “at the verbal level, Turkey is definitely moving. However, these moves have to be demonstrated in practice. The problems won’t be solved on the theoretical level, but in practice.”
Asked if Turkey would accept EU guarantees, he said he does not want to go into details, nor was there any reference made to NATO guarantees. Instead, he said, when some official at dinner joked by saying that NATO guarantees are not accepted by AKEL, he himself didn’t need to answer, but it was the Turkish Foreign Minister that replied to him.
Asked to reply on a press comment that within AKEL there was disagreement about making this visit right now, Mr. Kyprianou said “many circles and forces have myths and fantasies, I won’t comment on them.”
Called upon to say what positions the Greek Cypriot side must convince about, as he himself said in previous statements of his, Andros Kyprianou gave as an example the issue of guarantees by saying that the Turkish side declare that the Turkish Cypriots in experiencing the events of 1963 and the coup d’état before the invasion, are worried and want guarantees from Turkey. “And I replied, we experienced the 1974 Turkish invasion with the thousands of deaths, the continuing occupation, the thousands of refugees who fled their homes. So, we also have concerns, not just the Turkish Cypriots. We have to discuss these issues and they agree to discuss them. That’s important.” However, when discussing these issues, we must convince of the correctness of our discussions, he said.
It is too early. There must be preparatory work and preparation done on the issue of the guarantees and we ourselves must elaborate ideas without departing and deviating from the basic principles that will meet the concerns of both communities, and possibly others too, he said.
When asked whether they ate fish at the Bosphorus, the General Secretary of AKEL said that “we ate fish at the Bosphorus, yes. I do not think this has any importance.”
Asked about the briefing of the other political leaders, Mr. Kyprianou said that a meeting has already been arranged with the President of DISY next week and expects the arrangement of a meeting with others as well in order to inform them about his meetings in Turkey.
