Intervention by AKEL Parliamentary leader Giorgos Loukaides on Turkey’s stance in a Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Committee

 

12 October 2022

The Rapporteur on the “Appeal for the return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants”, Italian MP, Piero Fassino briefed the members of the PACE Political Affairs and Democracy Committee about the hardening of the stance of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership with regard to the solution of the Cyprus problem and their demand for a “two state” solution in Cyprus.

The Committee convened within the framework of the work of the 4th part of the 2022 PACE session which was attended by AKEL MP Giorgos Loukaides.

According to a statement released by the Cyprus House of Representatives, during the session, the Rapporteur on the topic “Appeal for the return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants”, Italian MP Piero Fassino briefed the Committee members about the working visit he made to Cyprus last June.

Mr. Fassino referred, inter alia, to the opening of the enclosed area of Famagusta in violation of the relevant Resolutions of the UN Security Council. He also pointed out the hardening of the stance of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership with regard to the solution of the Cyprus problem and the demand for a “two state” solution in Cyprus.

Responding to the well-known allegations made by Turkish MPs, AKEL MP Giorgos Loukaides stressed that the immediate implementation of the relevant UN resolutions on Famagusta can have a catalytic effect and facilitate the achievement of a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, while the opening and the colonalisation of the city, which Turkey is implementing, will be the gravestone of the Cyprus problem.

As stated in the statement released, Giorgos Loukaides noted, agreeing with the Rapporteur, that both the issue of Famagusta and the Cyprus problem in general can be resolved, provided that Turkey acts within the framework of the resolutions and decisions of the United Nations on Cyprus and Famagusta.

The AKEL MP underlined that the enclosed area of Famagusta must be returned to its lawful inhabitants and Turkey must reconsider its stance, which deviates from the agreed UN framework [for the solution], which provides for a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation. Turkey’s pursuit of a “two state” solution in Cyprus, Giorgos Loukaides pointed out, has already been categorically rejected by the international community and is a dead-end prospect.

In conclusion, the AKEL Parliamentary leader stressed that the PACE, through the forthcoming resolution it will adopt, must send out a clear and unambiguous message to Turkey to change its stance and abandon its unacceptable machinations in the enclosed region of Famagusta.