Solidarity Statement with the people of Cyprus

Communist and Workers Parties participating in the 18th International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties held on 28-30 October, 2016, in Hanoi, Vietnam, undersigned the statement below:

 

“The freedom and reunification of Cyprus is a milestone against imperialist aggression”

 We assert that the Cyprus problem is the result of foreign intervention and imperialist aggression; in July 1974, the Greek junta and the fascist organization EOKA B staged a coup d’état against the elected President of the Republic of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios.

• We recall that Turkey exploited the coup d’état to materialise its expansionist plans in Cyprus, invading illegally the island which remains occupied to this day in flagrant violation of international law.

• We recall that the double crime of the coup d’état and invasion was planned by the US and NATO aiming to divide Cyprus and impose union of one part to Greece and the other to Turkey, as both countries  were NATO members.

• We emphasize that the persisting violation of the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, the continuing violation of the human rights and freedoms of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, the perpetuation of the division of the people of Cyprus and the illegal mass settlement of the occupied territory to alter the demographic character of the island, form another expression of the imperialist aggression in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean and the world.

• We reiterate that the Cyprus problem is in essence an international problem of invasion and illegal occupation, in violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the UN, but also has an internal aspect, of restoring relations between the two communities of Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot.

• We acknowledge that the general inter- imperialist contradictions find expression through various ideological constructs regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem which we reject; such as, inter alia, the presence of NATO and the mortgaging of Cyprus’ future through another memorandum to the IMF and the EU.

• We underline that the status quo entrenches the long- term aspirations and objectives of Turkey against Cyprus and is not counter-productive for the strategic goals of NATO to maintain the geostrategic and military control of our region. On the contrary, we emphasise that the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem within the agreed framework is the only way to reunite our people and country, thus providing the impetus for common class struggles and a future socialist transformation.

• We recall that currently the peace negotiations in Cyprus are at a critical juncture.
• We underline that the ongoing efforts to reach a comprehensive solution being conducted by the leaders of the two communities under the auspices of the UN for the reunification of Cyprus and the restoration of peace on the island, building upon the convergences reached between Christofias- Talat, can facilitate a solution within the agreed framework of bicommunal, bizonal federation and in accordance with international law.

• We acknowledge that Turkey’s departure from its long- standing intransigence that has hindered any concrete progress in the last 42 years remains a prerequisite for the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem.

The Communist and Workers’ Parties signing the present Statement:

1 Denounce Turkey’s intransigent policy that perpetuates the Cyprus problem and consolidates the divisionist faits accomplis on the ground.

2 Declare that the tolerance exhibited by the international community to the continuing illegality that is taking place in Cyprus, is unacceptable and must be ended immediately.

3 Demand the solution of the Cyprus problem the soonest possible, on the basis of international law and the UN Security Council resolutions. The solution must restore the human rights and freedoms, provide for the transformation of the Republic of Cyprus from a unitary state to a bicommunal, bizonal federation with a single and indivisible sovereignty, a single international personality and single citizenship with due respect to the principle of political equality, as this is prescribed in the relevant UN resolutions.

4 Demand the immediate withdrawal of Turkish army, the demilitarization of Cyprus and the abolishment of foreign guarantees and of any rights for foreign intervention; it is within this context that permanent peace can be pursued, that would allow indeed the reunification, independence and freedom of the Cypriot people as a whole.

5 Call for an immediate verification of the fate of the remaining more than 1500 missing persons of the Cypriot tragedy.

6 Call on the international community to exert its influence on Turkey in order to abandon its intransigent stance, to terminate its divisive policies on the ground and take concrete steps for the solution of the Cyprus problem within the agreed framework.

7 Express their discontent with recent statements of the EU expressing readiness to accommodate in an excessive and hypocritical manner Turkey’s demands on visa liberalization vis- a- vis the EU in light of the migration crisis, despite its declared unwillingness to normalize relations with the Republic of Cyprus and implement relevant obligations.

8 Express their solidarity with and support to the struggle of the Cypriot people for the liberation and reunification of its country.

1. Communist of Argentina
2. Communist Party of Australia
3. Workers’ Party of Bangladesh
4. Communist Party of Belarus
5. Workers’ Party of Belgium
6. Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB)
7. Brazilian Communist Party
8. Communist Party of Britain
9. Communist Party of Canada
10. Communist Party of Chile
11. Communist Party of Cuba
12. AKEL, Cyprus
13. Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (Czech Republic)
14. Communist Party in Denmark
15. Communist Party of Denmark
16. Communist Party of Ecuador
17. French Communist Party
18. Communist Party of Finland
19. Communist Party of Germany
20. People’s Progressive Party of Guyana
21. Hungarian Workers’ Party
22. Communist Party of India
23. Communist Party of India (Marxist)
24. Tudeh Party of Iran
25. Iraqi Communist Party
26. Communist Party of Ireland
27. Workers’ Party of Ireland
28. Communist Party of Israel
29. Jordanian Communist Party
30. Lebanese Communist Party
31. Communist Party of Nepal (UML)
32. Communist Party of Norway
33. Communist Party of Pakistan
34. Palestinian People’s Party
35. Communist Party of Palestine
36. Philippines Communist Party (PKP 1930)
37. Portuguese Communist Party
38. Communist Party of Russian Federation
39. New Communist Party of Yugoslavia
40. Communist Party of South Africa
41. Communist Party of Spain
42. Communist Party of Sri Lanka
43. Communist Party of Sweden
44. Communist Party, Turkey
45. Communist Party of Ukraine
46. Communist Party of USA
47. Communist Party of Venezuela