AKEL on the failure of the Conference on the Cyprus problem in Switzerland
Statement by Stefanos Stefanou, AKEL C.C. Spokesperson
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 7th July 2017, Nicosia
The fact that the Conference on the Cyprus problem in Switzerland has ended in failure is frustrating and represents a negative development. The deadlocks and failures in the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem perpetuate the partitionist and occupational status quo, which is unacceptable and dangerous. The day after of the Conference on the Cyprus problem is full of challenges about which we must collectively reflect on. The situation harbors that must be addressed collectively.
As we do not have any information whatsoever about what happened at the Conference, it would not be serious and responsible on our part to jump to hasty conclusions based on what is being transmitted as information. It is of course obvious that unacceptable claims were raised by Turkey that could not be accepted. However, without having the overall picture we cannot make an assessment about what has taken place. We will do so, given that we have been briefed. It is important to have our own evaluation as to why the Conference failed, but it is also much more important and crucial what third parties, and more specifically the United Nations, will report on its results.
Therefore, the logic of the policy of capitalizing on the negative developments should not prevail on the domestic front when the times for the present and future of our homeland and people are critical. To prevent negative developments and to promote the prospect for a solution, the building of cooperation with the progressive Turkish Cypriots is imperative.
For AKEL, it is clear that a non-solution is no solution at all. Therefore, regardless of the disappointment the failure of the Cyprus Conference is provoking, we must remain focused on achieving a solution that liberates and reunites our country and people.
