AKEL address to Meeting of Greekcypriot and Turkishcypriot political parties

Address of Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of AKEL

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 26th May 2014, Nicosia

Dear friends,

It gives me great pleasure to be here today at the meeting of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties, an established practice that today completes 25 years of existence. In May 1989, on the initiative of the then Socialist Republic of Czechoslovakia, the first meeting between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties was held in Prague, whose organisation was subsequently undertaken by Slovakia.

Our continuous participation in this established practice is an expression of our deep conviction that through political dialogue and cooperation, the two communities will be able to solve the Cyprus problem and ensure the viability of the solution. The fact that today, 25 years since the beginning of these meetings, it has not been possible to breach the dangerous and unacceptable status quo is frustrating. Of course we have never however considered that our struggle would be easy, nor do we disregard the difficulties we encountered in the course of time. We believe, however, that the regular custom of organizing meetings between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties, regardless of any problems, has withstood difficulties and has made its own important contribution to the struggle for the solution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of Cyprus.

The improvement in the relations between the parties and the exchange of views on a wide variety issues that make up the Cyprus problem, was facilitated significantly by the established practice we are honouring today. Although these meetings did not always lead to concrete results, their contribution had a special significance, given that it is precisely the political parties that bear a big part of the responsibility for cultivating and fermenting an atmosphere of mutual trust between the two communities and creating a positive environment for finding a solution on the basis of principles and for its implementation.

We therefore convey our sincere thanks to the founders and pioneers of the meetings of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties, pledging that we shall continue to support, as well as to all the Ambassadors who visited and worked in Cyprus, for the continuation of this initiative. We express our appreciation to the people and government of Slovakia that has put under its auspices this regular custom of holding these meetings, and has therefore proved to be an ally of Cyprus and our people in the just and difficult struggle we are waging.

Today’s meeting is even more significant considering that recently direct negotiations have resumed. I would like to use this opportunity to reaffirm AKEL’s strong commitment to achieving an overall solution. AKEL, as the political force that is struggling sincerely and consistently for a solution and reunification, will continue to make every effort in this direction, based on principles. We shall continue to work for a bi-zonal bi-communal federation with political equality, as set out by the relevant UN resolutions, that will ensure a single and indivisible sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality of the Federal Republic of Cyprus; that will end the occupation, division, colonization; that will restore the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots. We will continue to work for a solution that will truly reunite our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and our country; that will create conditions for economic development and social progress, ensure the demilitarization of Cyprus and its transformation into a bridge of peace in the region without any “guardians” and foreign dependencies.

Our role, as political parties, is not confined to the exchange of views. With our stance, positions and our policy in general, we should cultivate a spirit of rapprochement between the two communities. We should also strengthen the belief that the solution is not only necessary, but also feasible. We should combat and repel any efforts leading the peace process to a new deadlock. Furthermore, we must ensure the adoption of Confidence Building Measures, whose implementation would facilitate an overall solution. In addition, we need to fight against every manifestation of fanaticism, intolerance and nationalism in both communities. Last but not least, we must transmit the message that the status quo is unacceptable. We call on our friends in the EU and the international community at large, to put pressure on Turkey for the necessary progress to be registered in the negotiations on the basis of relevant UN resolutions and the High-Level Agreements, based on International and European law and the agreed framework of the solution.

In conclusion, we hope that soon these meetings will be conducted in a reunited Cyprus and be focused on the implementation of the solution, the progress of our people and the building of a common future and prosperity for all, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins in our common homeland.

Once again, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Embassy of Slovakia for its noteworthy work, as well as the mission of the United Nations for their supportive role.