The result of the trilateral meeting confirmed the low expectations that existed

 

Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Giorgos Koukoumas

28 September 2021, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The result of the trilateral meeting held in New York confirmed the low expectations that existed, first and foremost due to the Turkish demand for a two state solution and the recognition of “sovereign equality”. The prospect of discussing Confidence Building Measures, instead of the resumption of substantive talks in the light of the experiences of the past, is not at all certain to yield results and certainly does not in itself and without a negotiating procedure on the substance prevent the fait accompli being promoted by the occupying power Turkey and the disastrous path towards permanent partition.

In the face of this stand taken by Turkey and Ersin Tatar, the response of the Greek Cypriot side should have been to unwaveringly and reverently adhere to the agreed framework and convergences recorded, with the aim of resuming the talks from the point where they were interrupted in 2017. This is, after all, what the UN Secretary General himself has been pointing out for some years now. Instead, the vague path of “new ideas” and the annulment of convergences was chosen, which opened Pandora’s Box.

AKEL insists that we have one choice before us. Namely, to protect the negotiating body of work recorded and to stick to the position for a resumption of the talks from the point where they were interrupted at Crans Montana. This is the path that can lead to a solution, the liberation and reunification of our country.