Joint Statement of AKEL and the Communist Party of Turkey
Statement of Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 20th April 2015, Nicosia
“AKEL has for some time been in consultation with the Communist Party of Turkey, exchanging views on various issues concerning our international activity. We have jointly arrived at common positions on a series of issues. We consider it useful to inform public opinion in our countries about these positions.
We want to point out the boldness and sincerity, as well as the internationalist solidarity of the Communist Party of Turkey, which despite its small size does not hesitate to clash with far bigger and very reactionary situations and forces in its country.
We consider the fact that the two Parties set out their positions on the Cyprus problem based on principles, as well as regarding other international issues of the region, of great significance.
I stress the agreement of our two Partiers for the need of a solution of the Cyprus problem and on the basic characteristics of the solution. Among them, the liberation from the occupation, demilitarization, the abolition of the unilateral guarantor rights, bi-zonal bi-communal federation with a single sovereignty, a single international personality and a single citizenship.
In addition, a special reference needs to be made to the condemnation of the expansionist plans of Turkey’s government with regards the NAVTEX in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus.
As AKEL we put forth the position that nothing separates the two peoples, Cypriot and Turkish. It is the selfish interests of the ruling classes, the imperialists and nationalist circles that are harming the need for friendship and the cooperation of the peoples. Our Parties will continue to struggle in the same direction; the direction of peace, equality, social justice and progress.”
Joint Statement of AKEL and the Communist Party of Turkey
The two Parties discussed the dramatic developments in the Middle East, the war raging in Syria and Iraq, the military and other illegal interventions of NATO forces, the reactionary role of fanatical terrorist organizations and the general instability. Furthermore, they also discussed the situation in Palestine and reaffirmed their solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The two Parties expressed the view that the US and NATO plans for a “new Middle East”, destabilization and the distribution of the region’s natural wealth are at the root causes of the wars and conflicts. This destabilization violates the fundamental principles of International Law and leads to the slaughter of the peoples and to the cultivation of nationalism and hatred. It clashes with the cause of peace, the rights and interests of the peoples of the region, including those of the Cypriot and Turkish people. Our Parties are struggling for the right of the peoples to sovereignty, freedom and peace throughout the region.
The two Parties oppose the militarization of the Mediterranean, demand a Mediterranean free from troops and nuclear weapons with respect to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of each State. They welcome the activity of the peace movement in Cyprus and Turkey, as well as the significant activity of the class-based trade unions of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot workers, who are developing their activity in conditions of imperialist barbarism.
The two Parties discussed the developments surrounding the Cyprus problem. They consider that the deadlock in the talks is harmful. Furthermore, they assess that the unilateral actions of the Turkish government, especially with regards the NAVTEX Directive within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus, is another example of its neo-Ottoman expansionist policy. The two
Parties denounce the on-going colonization which harms both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
The two Parties consider that the solution of the Cyprus problem is an urgent necessity; a solution that must be found through talks that will arrive at an agreement for a free Cyprus without occupation, demilitarized, without any guarantor rights of intervention, a reunified Cyprus on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with a single sovereignty, a single international personality and a single citizenship, with political equality as set out in the relevant UN resolutions.
They express the belief that the common struggle of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots for the solution of the Cyprus problem based on the UN resolutions and International Law is a constituent part of a future of peace and prosperity.
Our Parties have agreed to work more intensively so that an increasingly larger section of the peoples of the two countries recognize the need for fraternity, peace and cooperation against whatever interests of those forces cultivating hatred and chauvinism.
