AKEL responds to DIKO protests. AKEL didn’t change its policy neither before the Presidential elections, nor will it change its policy

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 26 June 2018, Nicosia

There couldn’t be greater proof that Nikos Anastasiades is adopting the rhetoric and positions of the so-called centre parties other than the statement issued by the Democratic Party DIKO protesting at AKEL’s criticism of the President of the Republic. In reality, Turkish objectives are best served when there are no talks underway, indeed especially when in the international community’s opinion Turkey appears as relieved of any responsibilities, as is the case in the recent period. It is precisely during this period that Turkey obstructed exploratory drilling in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus and no action was taken internationally.

AKEL’s policy on the Cyprus problem was and is the persistence on a solution of the Cyprus problem with consistency to the principles that have been agreed. AKEL didn’t change its policy neither before the Presidential elections, nor will it change its policy. What has certainly changed is the policy pursued by Nikos Anastasiades, who is now being strongly defended by DIKO and the so-called centre parties.

The fairy tales must finally end. AKEL isn’t blaming the President of the Republic for the deadlock on the Cyprus problem. AKEL criticizes the President of the Republic that he had an opportunity to corner Turkey at Crans Montana and didn’t do so, resulting in Turkey slipping out of the corner, receiving praise from the UN and the EU and responsibilities being assigned to the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot side.