There was a convergence on the fundamental powers (legislative, executive, judiciary), but now the President doesn’t accept it
Statements by Toumazos Tsielepis, AKEL Political Bureau member and Head of the Cyprus Problem Bureau of the C.C. of AKEL
11 April 2019 Astra radio station
It is obvious that with the statements made by the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus it is impossible for the terms of reference on the Cyprus problem to be agreed and that the effort made by UN envoy Jane Hall Lute is in its final death throes, the Head of the AKEL Cyprus Problem Bureau Toumazos Tsielepis pointed out on “Astra” radio station this morning.
Referring to political equality, he said there was an agreement on this issue, and that it was included in the Guterres framework, which also contained the reference that decision-making with the participation of Turkish Cypriots on low politics issues is rejected.
As regards the major issues, Mr. Tsielepis said that there is no way that the Turkish Cypriots would accept that the majority of the Greek Cypriot Ministers would be taking decisions if they do not secure a positive vote.
He underlined that there was a convergence on the way the fundamental powers, such as on executive, legislative and judicial power, operated, something that President Anastasiades doesn’t accept now. With regards the Anastasiades proposals for decentralized federation and a system of parliamentary Democracy, Toumazos Tsielepis assessed that these proposals are leading to deadlocks, since these issues were also agreed and President Anastasiades is reopening them.
Furthermore, he added, this is outside the Guterres Framework and wondered how the President is invoking the Framework of the UN Secretary General when the proposals he is submitting are outside this Framework.
Mr. Tsielepis stressed that if this behaviour continues on both sides, the negotiations will be terminated, and the UN Secretary General will now assign responsibilities in the Report he will table.
As far as Turkey is concerned, he underlined that it does bear its own responsibilities, but they are overshadowed by the actions of the two sides in Cyprus.
