AKEL GS: “AKEL disagrees with the militarization of the Cyprus problem. The way to a solution of the Cyprus problem isn’t through escalating but deescalating tension”

28 July 2020, HARAVGI newspaper

The escalation of Turkey’s aggression takes us away from the goals we have set as the Republic of Cyprus, the General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL Andros Kyprianou said after the meeting of the Council of Political Leaders.

Mr. Kyprianou stated that the President of the Republic briefed the political leaders in detail on everything that has elapsed since the last meeting of the National Council.

We are extremely concerned, the General Secretary of AKEL noted, about Turkey’s escalating intransigence and aggression, which it isn’t an exaggeration to say that it has brought us to the brink of a conflict with incalculable consequences for Cyprus, Greece and Turkey itself, but also for the wider area provided of course that such a conflict did erupt.

“We are very concerned about the situation, which is evolving due to this escalation. We are concerned, however, at the same time because it is obvious that developments over recent years, particularly during the recent period, are increasingly distancing us from the sought goals we have set as the Republic of Cyprus. And the sought goals that have been set are first and foremost the achievement of a solution of the Cyprus problem, a solution based on the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, the High-level agreements, international law and the principles on which the EU is founded. At the same time, these developments also distance us from the possibility of making use of the natural wealth we have in our Exclusive Economic Zone for the benefit of the entire Cypriot people, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots,” he said.

Our concern, he continued, is great because of the dangers that exist for our homeland and people.

As AKEL, he noted, we will study the situation, as it is evolving on the basis of the briefing provided by the President of the Republic. We will seek to formulate a comprehensive approach which we will put forward to the President of the Republic on how in our opinion we should handle issues from now on. I must make it clear, he clarified, that the President of the Republic is the one who takes the decisions and the one who will decide the Republic of Cyprus’ further handling of the Cyprus problems.

Asked if there is a proposal before the government to defuse the crisis, Mr. Kyprianou said that “it is better if you put these questions to the Government Spokesman because it is not right for me to comment on issues that we were briefed on by the President.”

Asked to comment on “what has been discussed in Paris” in the meeting between Anastasiades-Macron, he said that “many issues arise, which I do not hide from you, we are concerned about. When the time comes we will express our position in a comprehensive and well-documented way”.

The General Secretary of AKEL clarified that they have not been briefed about all the agreements that have been made in Paris (between President Anastasiades and Macron). “We disagree with the militarization of the Cyprus problem. We believe that the way to a solution of the Cyprus problem does not pass through the escalation of tension. It should pass through the de-escalation of tension. This is our philosophy and approach. AKEL believes that all the actions taken by our side, should seek to bring us nearer to the solution of the Cyprus problem and not distance us from it”, he pointed out.

Asked to comment on the resolution for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus UNFICYP, Mr. Kyprianou said that a relevant statement will be released by AKEL on the matter.