“A SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS ISSUE: ARE WE NEAR THE FINISHING LINE?”

Speech of Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL, in the debate at the “Economist” Conference in Cyprus

Tuesday, 1st November 2016, Hilton Park Hotel, Nicosia

The coming weeks will determine the fate of the ongoing negotiating procedure. In this sense, the current period for Cyprus is truly crucial.

Substantive progress, which has been registered in the chapters on Governance, power sharing, the Economy and EU issues, can lead soon to their conclusion too. In the fourth of the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem, that is the property issue, there are still substantial differences remaining. The territorial issue will be discussed, together with the other chapters of the internal aspects in Switzerland. If agreement is recorded on them, then the way will be paved to discuss the crucial issue of security, namely that of the guarantees and troops.

More specifically, in relation to the aspects of the territorial and security issue, AKEL wants to be clear and honest to all: If there are no substantial territorial adjustments made, if it is not understood that the safety of a community cannot be ensured at the expense of the other community’s safety then one cannot expect to reach an agreement. Those dealing extensively with the Cyprus problem, those who know the concerns of citizens can comprehend that especially the property, territory and security issues are the chapters that can lead to a collapse or can become a catalyst for the solution.

The solution of the Cyprus problem is not a question of time, but a question of the positions concerning the very content of the solution. These issues have to do with decisions and a will, above all on the part of Turkey, which holds the key to the most serious and intractable aspects of the Cyprus problem. The verbal declarations in favour of a solution and peace made by Turkey or other stakeholders and interested parties, will now be tested in practice. We therefore need concrete and important decisions to be taken; decisions that will lead to a solution which will liberate and reunite Cyprus, free the island from foreign guardians and make its united people, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, masters of their homeland

This vision is not abstract. On the contrary, this vision is composed of the specific principles of the solution of the Cyprus problem. More precisely, the solution, in addition to what I have said in relation to the security and territorial issue, must provide for:

– The continuity of the Republic of Cyprus and its transformation into a bicommunal, bizonal federation through the continuity of its status as a member state of the United Nations and the European Union, as well as by the continuity of the international treaties of the Republic of Cyprus. The prohibition of secession constitutes an additional safeguard for the continuity of the Republic of Cyprus.

– A strong central power with all the necessary competences that will ensure, inter alia, the unity of the state, the single sovereignty, single international personality and single citizenship.

– The unhindered implementation of basic freedoms and human rights for all Cypriot citizens. AKEL does not accept any permanent derogations from the acquis communautaire.

– The termination of the colonization and respect for the population ratio of 4: 1 at the time of the solution and with regards the future flow of Greek and Turkish citizens.

– The shortening to the minimum of the timeframes, both with regards the return of territories and the withdrawal of the occupying troops. The adjustment of territories must belong to the Greek Cypriot federated unit from the moment the overall agreement will be put into force.

– A strong resolution of the UN Security Council and other relevant commitments of all the involved parties for ensuring the implementation and adherence to a comprehensive solution.

An agreement that will not be based on these – but also on the agreed principles that concern and interest the Turkish Cypriot community as well, will not be able to be approved. If it is, it will not be able to function and take root in the passage of time.

We persist in hoping and working for a positive outcome. AKEL, as it has always done and regardless of who is the current President of the Republic, supports the current negotiation procedure and seeks to contribute constructively to the developments underway. At the same time, we are utilizing our ties with the Turkish Cypriot community and our international relations to help in any way possible in the direction of finding a negotiated solution based on principles as soon as possible. This solution is a pressing need.

From us you will not hear the rhetoric and talk about “the last chance to solve the Cyprus problem”, which self-traps our side and undermines the quality/content of the solution. However, at the same time we are fully aware of the difficulties that a new collapse will accumulate. AKEL, just like any prudent Cypriot, fully realizes the enormous dangers of the partitionist status quo, which is not a static situation as many circles and forces may believe, but a quicksand in which the island, the people and the cause of Cyprus is submerged. Furthermore, AKEL also understands that unless we halt the colonization and the Erdogan government’s policy for the economic, cultural and political integration of the occupied areas and of the Turkish Cypriot community into Turkey, faits accomplis will be created which will objectively be irreversible. On the other hand, the solution and the reunification can release enormous dynamics and prospects for our country’s progress, development and prosperity, but also for regional cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Cyprus is one of the most militarized places on the planet, will be rid of armies, mine fields, weapons, barbed wire fences and barricades. Cyprus will become a source of peace and security in our troubled neighborhood of the eastern Mediterranean. In a world that generates and reproduces conflicts, fanaticism and divisions, the free and reunified Cyprus will emerge as a model of peaceful coexistence in a common state made up of two communities with a different language, ethnicity, religion, and a painful historical heritage. Two communities which -as one people, as one country – decided to turn the page in history and begin to write the page of reunification, peace and hope.