The procedure should be used in a way so that it produces tangible results to the benefit of the solution
Statement by Stefanos Stefanou, AKEL C.C. Spokesperson
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 14th December 2016, Nicosia
The procedure which has been agreed by the President of the Republic is very specific, it can’t be changed and therefore it is pointless and counterproductive to argue over whether this procedure is right or wrong.
The point now is to build on the procedure in a way so that it can produce tangible results to the benefit of the solution of the Cyprus problem. It is imperative that a serious preparation is made and a comprehensive and coherent planning is elaborated. This is primarily the responsibility of the President of the Republic.
There are two fundamental challenges which the procedure agreed by the President raises. First of all, the utilization of the negotiation to register further progress on the key issues of the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem that are still pending to date. These mostly concern the territorial and property issue, as well as the issue of governance. The more progress is recorded before going to Geneva, the better the prospects of a solution.
The second challenge has to do with the conference on Cyprus, which will deal with the international aspect of the Cyprus problem and more specifically with the security system.
The disagreements between the two sides on this issue are given, both with regards the composition of the conference and the content of the agreement on security and the guarantees. The Greek Cypriot side has long expressed its positions. In view of these positions, the President of the Republic and his staff must find ways to overcome the procedural differences, always in a way that will safeguard our basic principles, and so that the conference can be convened successfully. Otherwise the danger lurks of either the effort collapsing even in the procedural phase or our entrapment in proceedings that will adversely affect the substantive part of the conference.
On the issues relating to the conference, there must be a full and continuous consultation with the Greek government. Greece has a say and a role to play in resolving the international aspect of the Cyprus problem and this must be utilized.
