The solution to the Cyprus problem demands a President that believes in a solution
Article by N. Sylikiotis, AKEL Political Bureau member and MEP
18TH December 2017
The stagnation on the Cyprus problem facilitates Turkish plans, particularly when it is accompanied by Turkey being exonerated of any responsibilities. This unfortunately is the situation today due to President Anastasiades’ handlings, especially in recent months. During his recent visit to Greece, Erdogan, who bears the main responsibility for the non-solution of the Cyprus problem, had the audacity to accuse us of evasions, stating that the Greek Cypriot side left the negotiations in Switzerland. This unfortunately happened because in Crans Montana, President Anastasiades didn’t even manage to utilize the opportunity for a solution of the Cyprus problem, but neither did he expose Turkey’s intransigence and responsibilities either.
To address the efforts of Turkey and the nationalist forces in the occupied territories to create new fait accompli by upgrading the illegal pseudo-state, we must respond in a dynamic manner. The best and most effective way to do so is by meeting the clear preconditions that the UN Secretary-General has set for the resumption of the negotiations and subsequently with the solution of the Cyprus problem. However, this goal can only be fulfilled by Stavros Malas, as the new President of the Republic of Cyprus.
President Anastasiades has for quite some time been experimenting and in order to serve his pre-election considerations, he has been regressing approaching even rejectionist positions. These are the very same regressions that have contributed towards driving the Cyprus problem to its current deadlock and to Turkey promoting its policies undisturbed and without any responsibilities being apportioned on it.
As AKEL, we had serious concerns from the very outset about the President’s handlings on the Cyprus problem. However, engaging in constructive criticism, we remained committed to our goal, and based on principles we led the way in supporting the efforts for a solution. But the President continued his own erroneous tactics, resulting in his failure to solve the Cyprus problem, but also to expose the Turkish side. How will he therefore pursuade the UN Secretary-General today that he won’t repeat what he did in Crans Montana when he deliberately did not make use of the possibility of reaching a solution?
In addition, N. Papadopoulos is insisting on his own ambiguous positions, instead of clarifying his position with regards a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution. How will N. Papadopoulos convince the UN Secretary-General to undertake a new initiative for the resumption of the talks when he himself not only rejects the Guitteres framework and the very clear preconditions the UNSG has set, but doesn’t even accept a solution within the parameters of the UN? He is trying to break the pledges made by seven Presidents of the Republic of Cyprus towards the international and Turkish Cypriot communities, provoking various problems. The “new strategy” he has been propagating which he says he will follow on the Cyprus problem is in fact a assortment of failed recipes that have been tried and tested in the past and inevitably lead to disastrous deadlocks.
At the point where the Cyprus problem has reached, there is no room whatsoever for any postponements or experimentations. Our country and people need consistency to the goal of the solution, the creation of the preconditions for the immediate resumption of the talks and assertion based on principles. The next President of the Republic of Cyprus will be called upon to handle the Cyprus problem in one of its most critical phases. Consequently, the crucial point is that the next President wants, but also can fight for the lifting of the occupation and the reunification of Cyprus within a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as described in the relevant UN resolutions.
Stavros Malas is the only option the people can trust for a solution that provides for a united state with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship, a single international personality, together with the safeguarding of all the human rights and fundamental freedoms of our people. Stavros Malas has specific comprehensive positions, is characterized by responsibility, consistency, determination and credibility to ensure the resumption of the negotiations on the basis of the preconditions set by the UN Secretary-General.
Only Stavros Malas can really keep the hope and prospect of a solution, the liberation and reunification of our homeland and people alive because he is deeply convinced that Cyprus belongs to its people, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenians, Maronites and Latins. And that for us to be able to live unite in our land, we must rid ourselves of any armies, guarantees, “guardians” and whatever barbed wires of division. That is why he is struggling for a reunited homeland where peace and prosperity will prevail. Together with Stavros Malas we will achieve the reunification of Cyprus and our people.
