AKEL on the latest developments on the Cyprus problem
Statement by Yiorgos Loukaides, AKEL Political Bureau member
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 27th July 2017, Nicosia
The negative consequences for our country as a result of the failure of the conference on Cyprus in Switzerland unfortunately appear to be mounting. Apart from the continuation of the Turkish occupation and the distancing from the solution of the Cyprus problem, two more very negative developments are being added.
- Firstly, instead of the UN and the international community apportioning the responsibility on Turkey and its intransigence for the failure, they are putting forth a completely different narrative than the one Nikos Anastasiades projects. Mr. Anastasiades’ public attacks on the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus, who continues to enjoy the full backing of UN Secretary-General Mr. Guterres, confirm that we are both in a dimension, but also on a path of rupture with the International Organization which, evidently, would have been exacerbated had Mr. Anastasiades continued to insist on the unprecedented publication of an excerpt from the Greek Cypriot side’s notes/minutes.
- Secondly, Turkey is exploiting this negative state of affairs for us by announcing the implementation of fait accompli, such as the announcement concerning the Maronite villages. This is why we are greatly concerned about the possibility of the implementation of other fait accompli being pursued regarding the enclosed area of Famagusta, the immovable property commission or the upgrading of the pseudo-state which is why it is Mr. Anastasiades’ responsibility in advance to study and take actions of a preventative character.
Of course, we must not forget that the most effective way of addressing these dangers is the very solution of the Cyprus problem itself on the basis of principles or at least, the recognition by the international community of our side’s readiness for a solution.
Towards this end, we reiterate the need to preserve the acquis and current negotiation procedure. We thus believe that our side’s most appropriate response would be the expression and demonstration of our readiness for an immediate continuation and completion of the procedure based on the Guterres framework, which provides for the abolition of the Treaty of Guarantee, the abolition of the rights of intervention and of the occupation in general.
