AKEL will never consent to confederation and a two-state solution that will complete the betrayal in 1974, with yet another betrayal – the surrender of half of our country to Turkey

Statement by the General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL Andros Kyprianou

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 25 October 2018, Nicosia

Since the Government has not replied to the substance of the questions AKEL raised yesterday, we will repeat them:

1. Why did Mr. Anastasiades raise the matter of loose federation to the Turkish Foreign Minister Mr. Cavusoglou and subsequently requested the opinions of the political parties on what they think he should do? How does this help in the collective handling of the Cyprus problem? The Government Spokesman is trying to convince the people that the President wants to hear the parties’ opinions before formulating his own. That is to say, he submitted a proposal to Turkey without knowing its content and without assessing the possible ramifications? Doesn’t this demonstrate irresponsibility and sloppiness in the handling of our most important national issue?
2. What powers and competences does Mr. Anastasiades want to remove from the central government and transfer to the constituent states? Do these safeguard that the solution remains within the framework of federation?
3. How is the functionality of the state improved by transferring powers and competences to the constituent states?
4. How are the key issues raised by Mr. Anastasiades himself to address the issues of security and guarantees, territory and property, the equal treatment of Greek and Turkish citizens and effective participation in the institutions solved? Even if the powers and competences are once again agreed wont these issues remain open?
5. For what reason did Mr. Cavusoglou say today that the Greek Cypriot side should clarify which solution it wants, a federation, confederation or a two states solution? Why does he say that the Greek Cypriot side does not want negotiations before May? The briefing we have from Mr. Anastasiades is that exactly the opposite is true. Why doesn’t the Government clarify the issues by issuing a public statement?

The reality is that the inactive policy pursued by Mr. Anastasiades and the fact that, as the Government Spokesman admitted, the President is indeed discussing a two state solution, will intentionally or unintentionally lead to the failure of the procedure underway. If by any chance this happens, certain forces and circles will say that the only option left is the solution of confederation or two states. That’s to say they will put forward the legalization of the fait accompli of the occupation as a solution of the Cyprus problem. In other words, Rauf Denktash’s vision for the solution of confederation with the prospect of a two-state solution. Is this what Mr. Anastasiades is seeking?

As AKEL we will resist with all our forces such approaches. We will never consent to such a development that will complete the betrayal committed in 1974, with yet another betrayal: the surrender of half of our country to Turkey.