It’s time for the government to reorientate its dogmatic foreign policy

 

Statement of Georgos Loucaides, AKEL C.C. Press Spokesperson

 AKEL C.C. Press Office, 10th November 2014, Nicosia

 

Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kasoulides in statements made today to the News Programme of the Cyprus Broadcating Corporation RIK and in reply to a relevant question as to whether he is satisfied by the stance of “our strategic partners” with regards the developments in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) stated that “of course we are not satisfied”. It is the first time that the government is making such an admission in public; an admission which unfortunately fully reflects the reality with regards the position of the US and the European Union on the fait accompli Turkey is provoking in the Cyprus EEZ.

The government’s admission, and indeed in public. is a first step in the coreect direction, given that as we have repeatedly stressed, to make an attempt to solve a problem, the admission of its existence consitutes a fundamental prerequisite.

We await that the government’s correct conclusion will be followed subsequently by the next but more substantive and essential step: namely, the abandonment of the illusions and dogmatic fixations and the return of the multifaceted character in Cyprus’ foreign policy, which has in practice proved to be a great deal more effective in the recent past in repulsing Turkey’s plans and adventurist actions.

Today, when we are already counting the cost of the damage caused by the erroneous handling of issues that facilitate Turkey’s intransigance and provocative actions, the change of direction in Cyprus’ foreign policy is something more than necessary, particulalry if one also takes into account the recent initiatives undertaken here in Cyprus by the UN Secretary-General Special Representative Mr. Aida.