AKEL denounces in the strongest possible terms Turkey’s new unacceptable provocations to the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus
Statement by Georgos Loucaides, AKEL C.C. Press Spokesperson
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 6th October 2014, Nicosia
AKEL denounces in the strongest possible terms Turkey’s new unacceptable provocations to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus.
Turkey must end immediately the dangerous policy of escalating tension and challenging the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, which are fully ensured under International Law. Consequently, the international community must react instantly and firmly to Ankara’s new machinations and scheming. The government must condemn the Turkish provocations to the United Nations and European Union and demand their intervention.
Unfortunately, at least so far, in contrast to the international community’s immediate reactions made during the previous administration, we haven’t observed any public reaction whatsoever, neither from the United Nations and the permanent members of the Security Council, but neither from the European Union either.
Therefore, it would be preferable for the government – instead of boasting for reasons of internal consumption that it has managed to supposedly upgrade Cyprus’ international credibility because of its complete alignment with Western, American and NATO interests – to act in a way that would protect and defend in practice the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus.
Indeed, the escalation of tension in Cyprus’ EEZ by Ankara also operates in undermining the negotiation procedure for a solution of the Cyprus problem, which will soon enter its new substantive phase.
The need to highlight this negative aspect as well in relation to the Turkish provocations must not however lead the government into hasty and erratic actions under a state of panic with public declarations about a possible termination of the negotiations.
Such serious issues, with complex ramifications, must in AKEL’s opinion be the subject of collective reflection within the framework of the National Council (Note: the advisory body to the given President of the Republic made up of all the parliamentary political parties and former Presidents).
