Low expectations shouldn’t act as an excuse for the non-resumption of dialogue on the Cyprus problem
Statement by Aristos Damianou, AKEL Political Bureau member
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 1st September 2019, Nicosia
AKEL has for quite some time been warning about the dangers looming from the protracted deadlock on the Cyprus problem. These dangers are now clearly visible, given that the Turkish side – demonstrably – is proceeding to new fait accompli – on land and at sea whenever there is no ongoing negotiation procedure. This is what Turkey is doing today, as well through its condemnable and illegal actions in the fenced-off city of Famagusta.
Since the break down at Cran Montana and thereafter, Turkey’s unacceptable and illegal actions in the maritime zones and Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus have not encountered an effective reaction from the international community, and in particular on the part of the UN. On the contrary, the international organization adopts an equal distance stand, and since September 2017, whilst the UN Secretary General’s Report was submitted, responsibilities are apportioned on both communities and the perpetrator, namely Turkey, is – unfortunately – receiving credit.
For that reason, the resumption of dialogue with a view to opening up the prospect of a solution that will liberate and reunite our homeland and people is a pressing need. It would be suicidal for the Greek Cypriot community and would represent a gift to Turkey, given the low expectations for a successful outcome, for the Greek Cypriot community to refuse to engage in a dialogue by citing various grounds. Our wish is that informal briefings that predetermine the failure of a resumption of dialogue and that are being attributed by the mass media to “senior government sources” do not echo the views of Mr. Anastasiades, who must truly aim for the meetings with the UN Secretary General’s Special envoy on Cyprus Mrs. Lute to yield results, so that we can move towards a trilateral meeting with the UN Secretary-General and subsequently to an informal conference under the auspices of the UN.
No one doubts the serious difficulties caused by the Turkish stand. However, it is clear as far as AKEL is concerned that the best response to the provocative actions and scheming of those forces and circles planning to make partition permanent is to persist on a dialogue aiming at a solution based on principles and on the agreed framework of a bicommunal, bi-zonal Federation. Any other option – inevitably – will render the prospect of liberation and reunification even more distant.
