AKEL clarifies its positions on issues raised by Akinci’s interview

 

Statement of Georgos Loucaides, AKEL Press Spokesperson

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 16th October 2015, Nicosia

 

Regarding Akinci’s interview to the Turkish newspaper “Milliyet”, as AKEL, we consider it useful to clarify once again our positions on the issues he raised.

First, we agree with the need to adopt the rotating presidency, as of course this is set out in the Christofias – Talat convergences: a rotating presidency with a cross and weighted vote, a double Greek Cypriot presidential term and all the decisions taken by the Ministerial Council, in which the Greek Cypriot side will have twice the representation.

Second, we agree that with regards the property issue the user also has a say, but the owner must have the first say. We also agree that with the definition of the criteria a common ground on this issue can be found.

Third, we stress that colonization constitutes a war crime. We accept that for humanitarian grounds a number of settlers will remain on the island, but this is far from covering all those who took the so-called “citizenship” of the pseudo-state

We reiterate that Akinci is a leader of the Turkish Cypriot and not of the Greek Cypriot community and therefore it is to be expected that disagreements are recorded. The main and fundamental question, however, is that Akinci is seeking a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and not a confederation or two separate states. Our duty is to invest on this and to seek the reversal of the partitionist status quo, the liberation and reunification of our homeland and people.

The negotiating procedure is at a crossroads and especially in this sensitive period public statements should be made with particular care.