Statement by the General Secretary of AKEL A. Kyprianou
22ND May 2021, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
It is really sad that Mr. Anastasiades, though President of the Republic, is behaving like a party boss. He isn’t only intervening in the election battle, but is becoming part of the confrontation.
Yesterday he made strong statements about the Cyprus problem.
We need to remind him that he inherited the Cyprus problem with joint announcements that safeguarded our side’s key and longstanding positions.
With many issues agreed and that have been recorded as convergences.
With a huge perspective for the chapter on energy and the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus safeguarded.
With the international community acknowledging that the Greek Cypriot side was one step ahead in the effort to solve the Cyprus problem and that the obstacle to a solution of the Cyprus problem was Turkey.
What did Mr. Anastasiades do and where did he lead the Cyprus problem to?
Unfortunately, Turkey has become much more provocative and aggressive. It has put its unacceptable demand for a two state solution on the table. It is proceeding with the imposition of new fait accompli in Varosha. We do not absolve Turkey of its responsibilities. However, Mr. Anastasiades should ask where his continuous contradictions and regressions have led us to; where his current approach is leading us, which simply makes it easier for Turkey to insist on its unacceptable demands.
We call on President Anastasiades to take initiatives that on the one hand will expose the Turkish provocative actions and on the other hand will force it back to the agreed framework of the solution. Otherwise we will gradually be driven to partition and he will go down in history as the leader of partition.
Participating regularly in the election campaign, Mr. Anastasiades also told us about how much he is concerned about the future generations who will benefit from Cyprus’ share of the funds allocated from the Recovery Fund. Let us just remind him that from 2014 to 2020 Cyprus was allocated 1.1 billion euros from the EU Structural Funds and the government of Mr. Anastasiades managed to absorb just half of that amount.
All these years the government ruling force’s concern for development has only been to weaken the criteria and scrutiny over the investor for passports program in order to enrich the ruling force’s family businesses.
As a result, Cyprus ended up with unprecedented levels of corruption during the administration of Mr. Anastasiades and DISY.
The upcoming Parliamentary Elections must send out a very powerful message to Mr. Anastasiades and DISY. That the countdown has begun. That the majority of society can no longer endure anti-social policies, corruption, authoritarianism and arrogance. That the many want change, a different Cyprus. The Cyprus we deserve.
We call on the people to go to the polls and vote for AKEL.
To vote for the serious, consistent and credible political force.
The force that will be with the people after the elections too, with a political proposal serving the interests and needs of the many.
The force that has elaborated positions and proposals for what must be done the day after the pandemic, on labour and social issues.
The force that defends public health, public education and the environment.
The force that fights for the strengthening of the welfare state, for social protection to those most in need.
The force that struggles for the solution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of our homeland.
A strong AKEL means strength for the workers, the farmers, the small and medium-sized enterprises, the self-employed, for the young and the many.
A strong AKEL means opening the way for a progressive change in the governance of the country.
A strong AKEL means strength for the Cyprus we want.
