AKEL on UN Security Council statement on Cyprus
Statement by AKEL-Left-New Forces Parliamentary Spokesperson Yiorgos Loucaides
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 10th October 2019, Nicosia
The UN Security Council press statement following the discussion that took place after Cyprus’ recourse in relation to Famagusta contains important elements and messages. First of all, we welcome the fact that the UN Security Council, albeit with a press release, reaffirmed Resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992). This conveys a clear message to Turkey and the illegal regime in the occupied areas who are threatening and planning actions to colonize the enclosed city of Famagusta.
At the same time, the Security Council press statement makes reference to the efforts for a resumption of the negotiations and to the solution of the Cyprus problem. It explicitly refers to the recent Resolution 2483, which stresses the importance of a solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
This reference is not accidental. In its effort to promote a solution outside the UN framework, Turkey has recently been arguing that the Greek Cypriot side does not accept the federal solution and political equality, thus creating obstacles to the efforts for a resumption of the negotiations.
More specifically, with regards to political equality, the reaffirmation of the definition that exists since 1990 is a message to both sides that the verbal acceptance of political equality and effective participation must be accompanied by the practical acceptance of the definition and relevant convergences.
Therefore, the task of the two leaders is to reach a conclusion on the terms of reference, something which shouldn’t have been so difficult, given what both proclaim. This will permit substantive negotiations to begin, which, of course, to be meaningful and substantive, must be conducted with due respect to the call issued yesterday by the Security Council’s press statement to the parties and all involved participants to refrain from any actions and rhetoric which might damage the chances of success for a solution.
