There is no other option other than to focus on the efforts to resume negotiations
Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 12th September 2019, Nicosia
AKEL expresses its concern about the situation developing on the Cyprus problem. Dangers do exist and are increasing as regards the course of the Cyprus problem, but also the situation on the ground and at sea.
- The Turkish illegal activities in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone are continuing, but the President too is now admitting that it is difficult for him to achieve the substantive measures by the EU to be approved against Turkey, despite what the government had announced recently.
- New fait accompli are being planned by the occupying power in relation to Famagusta, but the government ruling forces don’t agree with each other on whether this is about communications tricks or rather threats that will be implemented.
- The attempt to draw up the Terms of Reference in order to proceed to the resumption of substantive negotiations is encountering complications. The negotiating gap is really dangerous. The reply to Cavusoglou’s unacceptable statements must be the reiteration of the Greek Cypriot community’s steadfast commitment to a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution, for a resumption of substantive negotiations from where they had remained at Crans Montana on the basis of the 2014 Joint Declaration, the convergences recorded and the Framework of the UN Secretary General.
- At the same time, Turkey’s systematic policy of assimilating the Turkish Cypriot community, for the political, economic and cultural incorporation of the occupied territories, in order to render the fait accompli irreversible, continues unabated. The resistance of the more progressive section of the Turkish Cypriots will only prevail if things are put back on the track of negotiations, a development that will revive the prospect of a solution and the reunification of our country and people.
