AKEL on the Informal Council meeting of EU Foreign Ministers

Statement by the Head of the International and European Affairs Department of the C.C. of AKEL Costas Christodoulides 

 

AKEL notes the contradictory messages of the EU Foreign Ministers Session. On the one hand the need for a political solution is pointed out, but on the other hand they call for a strong response from the international community, without specifying however the necessity that  this should be done only within the framework of the United Nations. It is obvious that once again the EU is wavering between conflicting interests of its MemberStates and its strategic dependence on the US.

 

Another question is also raised, namely as to whether and how the Foreign Minister Mr. Casoulides has made use of the resolution approved by the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus. The recent resolution adopted by the House, inter alia, urges the government to “back or take initiatives in favour of a peaceful resolution of the civil conflict in Syria and democratic normalization based on the will of the Syrian people.” It notes that “the assumption of unilateral military action violates the Charter of the United Nations and the norms of customary International Law.” Has Mr. Casoulides taken into account these positions which were approved by the House of Representatives?

 

Secondly, we ask Foreign Minister Mr. Casoulides what does the statement he made today mean on a radio station that Akrotiri (the British bases) is our defence and our defence also protects Akrotiri.

 

The position of AKEL is that the British Bases involve us daily in espionage and military adventures, creating serious dangers for our island. The government’s position that the bases are protecting us from a potential accident is inconceivable, bearing in mind that the very presence and activity of the bases de facto creates such a possibility.