AKEL‘s principal goal is the solution of the Cyprus problem, but not any solution

Statement by Andros, General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 23rd September 2016, Nicosia

Replying to a journalist’s question on the President of the Republic’s speech to the UN General Assembly, the General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL said:

“I would say it was a fairly balanced speech in the sense that it has brought to the fore where things stand at this moment. I consider the presentation as it was done reflects the reality. Namely that on the one hand there have been convergences, on the other hand there are still open chapters which are extremely important and they are the chapters that will determine in which direction we head towards as far as the Cyprus problem is concerned. From there onwards, I would say that what is important is that with the return of the Presidents to Cyprus, the negotiations should continue in order to reach an agreement, if this is possible. I reiterate that the principal goal that we as AKEL set is the solution of the Cyprus problem, not just any solution, but a solution based on the agreed principles, on International Law, on the principles on which the EU is founded, on the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the UN in general, and the High-Level agreements. We therefore must focus all our efforts in this direction. If there is a response from Turkey we can aspire to an agreement. This will become evident as developments evolve.

Replying to a journalist’s conclusion that Mr. Akinci doesn’t appear to embrace the previously mentioned assessment given that as President Anastasiades stated  he did not transmit the correct picture at least with regards some things that were agreed, the General Secretary of AKEL said:

“I have not seen the relevant statements made by Mr. Akinci, based on the information we have from the President at the National Council. What has been said by the President also reflect the briefing we have in the National Council.”

Asked whether AKEL is reflecting on the day after on an economic level the General Secretary of the Party replied that:

“We are reflecting on many respects about what the day after will be, if and provided there is a solution. Certainly the issue of the cost of the solution needs to be clarified before we go to a solution. We can’t clarify it the day after the solution, but previously. We must have these issues made clear, otherwise any agreement will collapse under the weight of the economic difficulties that will surface in the course of implementing this solution. We are therefore really interested to a great extent also about issues relating to security, the day after and issues concerning the building of trust between the two communities, the issues on the functionality of the solution. All these are issues that should be promptly discussed and the necessary measures taken if and provided that we are going to an agreement, this agreement when implemented will be able to function.”