Certain forces were wrong to celebrate that the Cyprus problem has been interconnected with EU-Turkish issues

Statements by AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou on the session of the National Council:

27 April 2024, ‘Astra’ radio

The General Secretary of AKEL Stefanos Stefanou did not conclude during the session of the National Council yesterday that there was any concern that we are at a threshold and critical point surrounding the Cyprus problem.

Speaking to ‘Astra’ radio, the General Secretary of AKEL said that he again submitted AKEL’s position that energy is the point that can unlock the door for a resumption of dialogue or Turkey will be exposed, cornered and will be forced to stop hiding.

He stressed that stagnation on the Cyprus problem leads with mathematical precision to permanent partition.

S.Stefanou also noted that certain forces and circles were erroneously celebrating that the Cyprus problem has been interconnected with EU-Turkish issues.

What was decided in fact [at the European Council], he added, is that the EU is interested in promoting EU-Turkish dialogue. S.Stefanou noted that they are not setting the Cyprus problem as a precondition, but are just saying that if there is progress on the Cyprus problem this will help.

With regards the Group the President is forming on the Cyprus Problem, the General Secretary of AKEL said that it is not a Negotiating Team and THAT the President asked for names so that he could be in more frequent contact with the political parties.

It should be noted that according to media reports, the President of the Republic reportedly told the National Council yesterday that the Secretary General of the UN Antonio Guterres proposed a trilateral or/and a five-party meeting, but the Turkish side rejected both proposals.