AKEL GS: – We are getting closer and closer to partition – Unity isn’t built with communication tricks – AKEL won’t concede the Chairmanship of any Parliamentary Committee to ELAM
15th June 2021, ‘Astra’ radio station
“We are getting closer and closer to partition…”
“Unfortunately, Turkey has escalated its intransigence and aggressive actions, while a large section of the international community is appeasing it,” the General Secretary of AKEL said.
Andros Kyprianou pointed out that when Tayyip Erdogan is pressured inside his country and the priorities render a different stand imperative, he proves that he has the ability at critical moments for Turkey to act in a way that would minimize the pressure that the international community will put on Turkey.
He added that this must be taken into account by the Greek Cypriot side, when deciding its own goals. A. Kyprianou also referred to AKEL’s proposal regarding the procedure of the Cyprus problem and the hydrocarbon issue, pointing out that the government ruling forces did not even make the effort to discuss AKEL’s proposal with the Party.
A.Kyprianou added that the Greek Cypriot side must take some initiative. As he characteristically said, if we do not take any practical action/initiatives, then as the saying goes “God helps those who help themselves”.
The General Secretary of AKEL stressed that unfortunately we are moving closer and closer to the partition of Cyprus, stressing that if those who are in government do not realize it, they will have grave and huge responsibilities.
On the broad acceptance government proposal
The only thing the formation of a broad acceptance government would achieve, which the President is seeking, is to ridicule parties in society, stressed the General Secretary of AKEL Andros Kyprianou.
Speaking to the morning edition of ‘Astra’ radio station, A.Kyprianou noted that political parties, but also the country’s political life, have been depreciated because some people move with the greatest of ease from one position/spectrum to another.
He stressed that the message shouldn’t be sent to society that what matters is attaining a position and the lust for power. He also stressed that unity isnt built by engaging in communication tricks, but through actions in a specific direction.
As A.Kyprianou said, 4-5 major issues should have been selected in order for society to move forward and for a common approach to be sought by President Anastasiades. He added that the President is now saying there are many issues open and is calling on political parties to support him, pointing out that this isnt a serious proposal.
At the same time, A.Kyprianou stated that AKEL has repeatedly demonstrated that AKEL promotes even proposals submitted by DISY or anyone else so long as they aim to make people’s life better. As he said, AKEL has no problem voting for initiatives that are moving the correct direction.
On the chairmanships of Parliamentary Committees
Regarding the chairmanships of Parliamentary Committees, A.Kyprianou clarified that AKEL will not concede the chairmanship of a parliamentary committee to the ultra-right ELAM party, while he noted that AKEL is willing to cede the presidency of the Parliamentary Environmental Affairs Committee to the Ecologists.
As far as the other parliamentary committees are concerned, he said that the intentions of the other political parties will be made clear from today’s session stating that they want to go to a consensus process and not to a vote.
