AKEL on the International Day of solidarity with Palestine

 

Statements by Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the C .C. of AKEL

 

A delegation of AKEL, headed by Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL, had an official meeting with the Palestinian Ambassador Dr. Walid Hasan today, 29th November on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the struggle of Palestine and the Palestinian People. A joint press conference was subsequently held.

 

The General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL made the following statement:

 

“As my friend His Excellency Ambassador of Palestine has stated, the delegation of AKEL visited the offices of the Embassy of the State of Palestine to convey its solidarity and congratulations on the occasion of the anniversary of the International Day of Solidarity with Palestine and the Palestinian people. Our visit here wants to send an important message. Namely, that AKEL unreservedly stands on the side of the Palestinian people and on the side of the Palestinian leadership in their efforts to find a just solution that will be in line with the relevant UN resolutions.

 

The Cyprus problem and the Palestinian issue are similar problems and we consider it our obligation to support the struggle of the Palestinian people to achieve a solution.

 

In addition, I want to add my voice also with regards the issue of the illegal settlements. As in the case of Cyprus, there is an illegal colonisation underway in the West Bank too. There are about 600,000 Israeli settlers. New settlements are being constructed continuously or existing settlements are being expanded. We believe this is disastrous for the efforts to achieve a solution to the Palestinian issue.

 

I would like to add our voice with them also with regards the blockade of the Gaza Strip where human lives are being lost. The international community must react, as it should also react to the demolition of Palestinian homes.

 

I conclude by wishing on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with Palestine and the Palestinian People to our friend Ambassador, and through him, to the Palestinian people that the talks reach a conclusion as soon as possible so that the opportunity is given to declare a Palestinian state which will have as its capital East Jerusalem.

 

I wish you every success in their struggles and declare unreservedly before them that AKEL will always be on their side. At the same time, I say to Israel that it is also in its own interest to reach an agreement with Palestine and create conditions of peace which will enable everyone to live in conditions of security.”