Statement by the AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou on the Cyprus problem and the proposal of the so-called “intermediate spectrum”
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 20th June 2017, Nicosia
We leave it to the people to judge whether today’s public position put forward by the three parties of the so-called “intermediate spectrum” (Note: the Democratic Party DIKO, Socialdemocrats EDEK party and “Solidarity” Movement) is aimed at assisting the forthcoming critical conference on Cyprus or whether it merely serves pre-election purposes and expediencies. More specifically, if the positions being expressed are adopted, the only and sure outcome will be the collapse of the negotiating procedure and the apportioning of responsibilities for such a development on the Greek Cypriot side. At the same time, Turkey will be relieved of its responsibilities and will not pay any cost whatsoever for its illegal actions in Cyprus.
Indicatively and not exhaustively, we point out the following:
First, it is argued that the rights of intervention and guarantee rights, as well as the 1960 Treaty of Alliance must be abolished before the holding of referenda. In addition, it is demanded that there must be an agreement on a timetable for the withdrawal of all foreign troops before the referendum is held, as well as their complete withdrawal before the beginning of the implementation of the solution. That is to say, we should not only return to the pre-invasion situation in 1974, but that we must also get rid of all the negative elements of the 1960 Agreements before we even decide whether or not we accept the solution that will be proposed in the referenda.
Only those who suffer from inexplicable naivety could believe that with such approaches we could ever reach a solution of the Cyprus problem. We are, of course, in favour of abolishing the anachronistic system of guarantees and any rights of intervention, but with these out of place and time approaches, we will ultimately be left with the existing Treaty of Guarantee.
Secondly, the position for the establishment of joint Cypriot Armed Forces raises questions, that is to say is the long-standing position of all the governments of the Republic of Cyprus for full demilitarization to be abandoned?
Thirdly, the position is put forth that the first article of the agreement for a solution must clearly state that the Republic of Cyprus will continue as it is. The continuity of the Republic of Cyprus for AKEL is a “red line”. The challenge is how this is ensured in practice, and not through the issuing of unfeasible statements. The status of each party in the negotiating table has never been raised as an issue in the long history of the negotiations. The subject of the discussions has always been the sought goal.
The continuity of the Republic of Cyprus is not guaranteed solely verbally, nor by positions whose only result will be the impasse and the blame being apportioned on our side. Its continuity is ensured through by the very content of the solution: the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus’ participation in the UN, the European Union, the Council of Europe and more generally in the international organizations to which it is a member of, as well as by the continuity of the international agreements signed by the Republic of Cyprus since its establishment until today. Furthermore, secession will be explicitly forbidden.
Fourth, in the joint declaration of the three parties of the so-called “intermediate spectrum” reference is made to a signing and ratification by the Turkish National Assembly of an Exclusive Economic Zone delimitation agreement between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus, which will be approved as an annex to the Solution Agreement. In this regard, we recall that, although Turkey and Greece recognize each other, the problem of the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone has been pending for decades. Is it ever possible to believe that Turkey will proceed to take such a step, which, among other things, is tantamount to a de jure recognition before the solution of the Cyprus problem?
Never before has any President of the Republic formulated and submitted such unfeasible positions at the talks. It is more than evident that if such positions are raised today, forty-three years onwards, the only result will be the immediate collapse of the negotiating procedure with the blame apportioned on the Greek Cypriot side. The consequences of such a development will be tragic for the country and the people.
In view of the Conference in Switzerland, AKEL reiterates its appeal to all political forces to act prudently and far from petty-electoral or other considerations/expediencies so as to be helpful in view of the processes and possible developments.
