Actions of Turkey and the illegal regime in Famagusta in reality are consequences of the Crans Montana collapse and prolonged absence of negotiations

Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 17th February 2020, Nicosia

The actions of Turkey and the illegal regime in the occupied areas within the enclosed city of Famagusta represent a new provocation against our homeland. They set in motion new illegal fait accompli that violate the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions on Famagusta. In reality, what is happening today are consequences of the collapse at Crans Montana and of the prolonged absence of negotiations.

Our side must be extremely concerned about the fact that the plans for the colonization of the fenced off city of Famagusta, as well as Turkey’s unprecedented provocation in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone, haven’t witnessed a substantive reaction on the part of the international community. A coordinated and effective response is needed, which must be part of the overall effort for the resumption of the negotiations and for the solution of the Cyprus problem. AKEL is ready contribute by all means and with all its forces towards saving Famagusta from the colonisation and reversing the dangerous course of developments.

At the same time, we consider as positive the fact that Turkey and the illegal Tatar-Ozersay ‘government’ don’t find support from a large section of the Turkish Cypriot community. It is indicative that representatives of left movements and trade union organizations staged a protest mobilization in occupied Famagusta against the gathering organized by Turkey and its select elite. It should also be noted that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci was not even invited to the meeting and neither the Turkish Republican Party (CTP), nor the Communal Liberation Party (TKP) participate too.

AKEL reiterates that the best and most effective way to deal with all these developments is our side’s readiness to sit at negotiations on the basis of the Framework of the UN Secretary General and from where we had remained at Crans Montana. AKEL recalls that continuation from where we had remained, as regards Famagusta, means the bringing back by the Turkish side of the map with Famagusta under Greek Cypriot administration. Provided that happens then either the current scheming for the colonization of Famagusta will end or the other side will be exposed internationally.