AKEL’s warnings on the Cyprus Problem were not heeded

 

Statement of Christos Christofides, Political Bureau of the C.C. of AKEL

AKEL C.C Press Office 17th January 2015, Nicosia

 

Developments on the Cyprus problem are very negative. The main responsibility for the path developments are taking lies with Turkey and that section of the international community which unfortunately is covering up the intensified Turkish aggression.

At the same time however we need to reflect as the Greek Cypriot side whether our own handling of the Cyprus problem in the last two years has managed to complicate or facilitate Turley’s plans and the position of that particular section of the international community which supports these plans. We need to make, President Anastasiades in particular, a realistic appraisal of the developments surrounding the Cyprus problem over these past two years and assess the choices that have been made.

– For two years now there have been no substantive negotiations conducted on the Cyprus problem.

– Turkish aggression, exploiting the stagnation and change in the international community’s stand, is growing.

– A significant section of the international community, namely the US, Britain, the European Union, and even the UN Secretary-General, appear to appease Turkey and adopt negative positions towards our side.

– President Anastasiades’ “friends and strategic partners”, whom he pinned a lot of hopes on, both before and after the elections, now seem to have turned their backs on him.

– Turkish provocation with regards the exploitation of the natural gas, in connection with the acceptance by the Anastasiades government of the issue of natural gas being put on the negotiating table, makes the potential exploitation of our natural wealth before the solution of the Cyprus problem doubtful.

– Successive steps towards the permanent partition of our country are being taken, the latest example being the bringing back on the agenda, and indeed by the UN Secretary-General himself, after many years, of the issue of direct trade and the so-called lifting of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

At this critical moment a serious and balanced position in our positions is needed. Emotional outbursts, no matter how justified they may be, cannot breach the deadlock.

We need to move forward in the period ahead without adopting a submissive stance, but at the same time without fueling the climate and building up tension which Turkey is seeking to do. At this precise moment it is necessary to undertake initiatives for a resumption of the negotiations by with the revocation of the Turkish NAVTEX and the withdrawal of the Turkish vessel “Barbaros”. A reorientation of Cyprus’ foreign policy is necessary, particularly after President Anastasiades himself admitted that he was “deceived” by his “friends” and “strategic partners”.

For the last two years AKEL has been addressing developments with seriousness and a sense of responsibility. AKEL warned well in advance about these developments we see unfolding today. We submitted concrete proposals to President Anastasiades which without violating our side’s own “red lines” presented a way out for the central issues raised in Cyprus and internationally in relation to the issue of natural gas. AKEL had warned well in advance about the government’s choices on foreign policy issues. Unfortunately AKEL was not heeded.

Even now we must perceive developments rationally and President Anastasiades should take the most correct decisions.