AKEL demands briefing on government military agreement with Israel

Cyprus’ involvement in military plans is not in the Cypriot people’s interests

 AKEL C.C. Press Office, 25th February 2016, Nicosia

 

AKEL calls on the Government and the relevant Minister to immediately inform the House of Representatives about the content and purpose of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) that was co-signed yesterday between Cyprus and Israel. This specific type of agreement regulates the presence of the armed forces of a foreign country on the territory of another country. The State of Israel has signed such an agreement only with the United States and recently with Greece as well.

Regional and mutually beneficial cooperation with all the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, including Israel, is a legitimate objective, which began during the Christofias government. However, the militarization of this cooperation and Cyprus’ involvement in military plans and schemes is not in the interests of the Cypriot people, neither does it contribute towards peace and stability in our region. Moreover, such policy choices are sending the wrong messages to the peoples of the Arab world. Cyprus cannot enter the dangerous logic of competing rival “regional blocs”.

AKEL’s vision is to liberate Cyprus from any foreign military presence and installations; a vision for Cyprus to stop functioning as a bridgehead or military base of any third party. Cyprus must be a bridge of peace, friendship and cooperation among all the peoples of the region.