The President is silent about Akinci’s invitation
Statement by Stefanos Stefanou, AKEL C.C. Spokesperson
2 May 2018, DIALOGOS web site
There is only one answer to Mr. Akinci and it’s none other than the Guterres framework being accepted by the Greek Cypriot side as well and for the President of the Republic to call on the Turkish Cypriot leader for talks to begin, the AKEL Press Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou stressed.
Speaking to “Astra” radio station in the morning, Stefanos Stefanou called on the President to respond positively to Akinci’s invitation, to underline that he agrees with the Guterres framework and without setting preconditions to declare that he is ready for talks.
Asked to comment on whether Mr. Akinci’s statements are sincere, Mr. Stephanou said that everyone’s sincerity isn’t judged by any public statements made, but is judged at the negotiating table.
He indeed wondered whether the government will deal with Akinci’s proposal with “protaxis” policies (Note: the policy of setting “preconditions” that predetermine the results of negotiations) and by putting forth various excuses. This approach, he stressed, will lead to the Greek Cypriot side being more exposed before the international community.
The AKEL Press Spokesperson noted that the President of the Republic is so far silent about Akinci’s invitation. He should prove in practice his real intentions, as well as to dispel in practice what is being heard about a flirt with a two-state solution. He added that what was heard from the government spokesman shows that the government does not appear to mean what it declares in public for a resumption of the talks on the basis of the Guterres framework.
Stefanos Stefanou also pointed out that AKEL in no way urges the President to make concessions and that neither the President, nor DISY is telling the truth on this issue. Let them make public, he added, any AKEL reference made at the National Council or any other position where AKEL is calling on the President of the Republic to make concessions.
