CONTACTS OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF AKEL IN STRASBOURG
Press Office of the C.C. of AKEL, 16th April 2013
The General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL, who is in Strasbourg for a series of meetings since yesterday, today met with Andrew Duff Vice-President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) in the European Parliament with whom he discussed developments on the economy and the Cyprus problem. The General Secretary of AKEL expressed AKEL´s disapproval with the decisions taken by the Eurogroup which are leading to the destruction of the Cyprus economy, adding that the Summit in Dublin adopted a decision in principle according to which for every country whose banking sector will face similar problems, the Eurogroup will handle them accordingly as in the case of Cyprus.
The General Secretary of AKEL underlined to Mr. Duff the need to support the economy of Cyprus, although the decisions of the Eurogroup leave hopes for a recovery in the near future. He expressed AKEL´s strong concern about the dead-end policies the EU ruling circles are imposing on the peoples. On his part, Mr. Duff said he believed the European Union would support Cyprus economically through the European Investment Bank so that a fast recovery can take place. A. Kyprianou on his part pointed out that after the pressure and the damage done to the financial sector of Cyprus, the prospect of an imminent recovery is remote, which is why any support from the European Union should be swift and decisive.
The Cyprus problem was also discussed with Mr. Duff. The General Secretary of AKEL A. Kyprianou referred to the Report under discussion in the European Parliament and stressed to Mr. Duff that his position in favour of observers will complicate the efforts for a solution of the Cyprus problem even more. The General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL underlined that if the European Union satisfies the Turkish side’s demands for Turkish Cypriot observers in the deliberations of the European Parliament, direct trade and regarding the management and utilization of the natural gas, then the Turkish side will be unwilling to cooperate for a solution. A. Kyprianou also pointed out that the goal must be to achieve a comprehensive solution that must be fair, workable and sustainable in order to give an impetus to the economy. On his part, Andrew Duff insisted on his positions, stating that there must be direct contacts of Turkey with the Republic of Cyprus, a position A. Kyprianou commented on saying that this was also the desire of the Greek Cypriot side, but the Turkish side did not accept this.
The General Secretary of AKEL Andros Kyprianou also met with Sylvana Rapti, Head of the PASOK Group in the European Parliament and Marietta Giannakou Head of the New Democracy Group in the European Parliament, with whom he discussed developments with regards the Cyprus economy, as well as the Report under discussion in the European Parliament and in particular the issue being raised about Turkish Cypriot observers.
Subsequently, the GS of AKEL A. Kyprianou will meet with Bambis Angourakis, Member of the European Parliament of the Communist Party of Greece, Gabi Zimmer President of the Group of the Left Group GUE-NGL, President of the Group of Socialists and Democrats Hannes Swoboda, the President of the Group of Greens Rebecca Harms and the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz.
In the evening the GS of AKEL will attend a dinner hosted in honour of the AKEL Delegation by the Group of GUE-NGL.
The General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL is accompanied in his meetings by Costas Christodoulides, Member of the Central Committee of AKEL and Head of the International Relations and European Affairs Department of the C.C. of AKEL and Vera Polycarpou, Member of the Central Committee of AKEL and of the International Relations and European Affairs Department.
