US Ambassador’s unacceptable statements on Cyprus Problem denounced by AKEL

Statement by Georgos Loucaides, AKEL Press Spokeperson

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 27^th May 2015, Nicosia

 

The statement of the US Ambassador Koenig that the Cyprus problem is essentially not a problem of invasion and occupation and “if you don`t like it, I can`t help it” is particularly provocative and totally unacceptable. At a time following a long period of stagnation when the negotiation process has resumed, yet again Mr. Kenigk instead of trying to facilitate the new effort underway, unnecessarily and unwontedly hinders this effort with his erroneous statements.

If the Cyprus problem is not a question of invasion and occupation, then what are the Turkish troops doing on the island for more than forty years? Furthermore, why do the very same UN resolutions demand the withdrawal of the occupation troops? We do not need Mr. Koenig to be convinced that the Cyprus problem has its internal aspect. From this, however, to go on to claim that the Cyprus problem is not a problem of invasion and occupation, there is a huge distance.

Unlike the American Ambassador, Turkish Foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu during his illegal visit to the occupied areas was careful and kept a low profile, having of course in mind that we are talking about the Turkish Foreign Minister. And just the fact that Mr. Cavusoglu did not repeat the well-known Turkish position on guarantees and alleged rights of intervention should be judged positively. Beyond that, Mr. Cavusoglu’s position that the Turkish side’s aim is to have a result in the negotiations within the framework of the Joint Declaration of February 11th will itself be judged at the negotiating table. We take this opportunity to reiterate that AKEL supports the negotiation procedure aiming at a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the principles of International Law and with respect to the agreed framework.