Government decision on Cyprus’ involvement in operations threatens our country’s and people’s security
Statement of Georgos Loucaides, AKEL C.C. Spokesperson
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 20th November 2015, Nicosia
The Anastasiades government has consented to the activation for the first time in history of the “mutual solidarity clause” of Article 42 (7) of the European Union Treaty. The Minister of Foreign Affairs said yesterday that the government is prepared to provide any kind of facilities for the carrying out of air strikes in Syria. AKEL considers that the Government should have first reflected on the dangers that are being created for the security of our country and people from the involvement of Cyprus in these military operations.
Furthermore, AKEL is of the opinion that if everyone genuinely mean what they say that the first priority right now is to destroy the murderous formation of the “Islamic State” organization, then the first thing to be done is to stop any kind of funding, arming and trade transactions with it by Member States of NATO and the G20. In addition, it is imperative that the attacks against those who are fighting on the ground the “IS”, that is to say against the army of Syria and the Kurdish forces of the country, must cease.