Speech by the General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL S.Stefanou at the event condemning the declaration of the pseudo-state
Orfeas checkpoint, Nicosia
15 November 2023, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
This year marks four decades since the declaration of the pseudo-state. Once again, as we do every year, we have gathered here at the Orfeas checkpoint to denounce the invasion and occupation and every attempt by Ankara to perpetuate the partition of our country. To shout once again that Cyprus belongs to its people and that is precisely why we will never stop fighting for the freedom and reunification of our homeland.
This year’s event to condemn the illegal declaration of the pseudo-state is taking place against the backdrop of the war raging right next to us in the Middle East with the State of Israel attempting genocide against the Palestinian people, violating every principle of international law, every concept of civilisation. The State of Israel is provocatively ignoring the calls being issued by the international community for a humanitarian ceasefire. It is killing babies and children, mothers, women and civilians. This is a disgrace and a rebuke for the whole of humanity. We express our condemnation and disgust at the criminal policy pursued by the State of Israel.
The situation in the Middle East and the ongoing war underway in the Gaza Strip highlight a reality: namely, how artificial, how vulnerable the situation is we are living right here in Cyprus.
They highlight how dangerous the de facto situation of the occupation and de facto division is.
They highlight how necessary it is to ensure lasting peace for our country by resolving the Cyprus problem.
Can a conflict frozen for years be reawakened? It can.
Can a catastrophe occur as a result of the barren passage of time without a solution? Maybe…
For that reason, there are no such things as eternally frozen conflicts. At some point the nightmare is always likely to come back with a vengeance if the root causes that gave birth to them are not eliminated. The nightmare is the finalization and permanent partition of our Homeland. That is what we are fighting to prevent, because partition is a source of many dangers and adventures.
We owe it to the Cypriot people to tell them the truth about exactly where we are and what the dangers are. And we need to do this because the temporary nature of what we have been living in since 1974 creates the illusion of certainty and permanent security, which in reality do not exist.
The situation in Cyprus is not only critical, it is dangerous.
Nothing that our people have built and achieved over the years is not secure as long as the Turkish occupation continues. Without a solution to the Cyprus problem, without the reunification of our country, nothing can be taken for granted. On the contrary, as time passes by with the Cyprus problem unresolved, Turkey is getting closer and closer to fulfilling its goal of consolidating its illegal presence on our island.
The longer the Cyprus problem remains unresolved, the greater the danger becomes.
What security can we feel today, can future generations feel, every time Ankara shows its teeth by proceeding to unacceptable actions that step by step lay the foundations for partition?
What security can we feel today, can future generations feel, every time Ankara imposes new occupation fait accompli on the ground and challenges our sovereign rights at every opportunity?
Consequently, the political leadership has a responsibility, the government ruling forces who hold the fate of the country in their hands have a responsibility, first and foremost, to tell the truth [to the people] and to outline all the dimensions and implications of the current situation.
To tell the people that the reality in which we live is an illusion.
That the security we believe we have is fragile.
That the threat we consider we have overcome is here, perhaps greater than ever before.
We all have a responsibility to speak openly and honestly about the choices before us. At least that’s what we as AKEL do. Because the illusion that is being cultivated, intentionally or unintentionally, that there are other options for a solution to the Cyprus problem, beyond the one that was agreed upon decades ago, is perhaps the biggest illusion with which they want to lull our people to sleep.
There are only two options before us.
Either we work with consistency to arrive at a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as outlined in the relevant Resolutions of the United Nations, or we will be left with permanent partition.
Either we will reunite our homeland with the solution, or we will hand over half of Cyprus to Turkey, signing up to the twin crime that was committed in 1974 against our homeland.
So there is only one way forward. Namely, the solution that we agreed with the Turkish Cypriot community since 1977, which is supported by the international community, the United Nations and is included in its Resolutions.
Today we are witnessing the longest stalemate ever recorded in the history of the Cyprus problem. Historical experience has demonstrated that every time there has been a deadlock, each time there is no movement, initiatives, negotiations and developments surrounding the Cyprus problem, Turkey has been offered the opportunity to impose new partitionist fait accompli. It is no coincidence that after the collapse of the Crans Montana conference on Cyprus in 2017, after two decades, Turkey brought back the position for a two state solution. This is an unacceptable and provocative stand that provokes even greater difficulties in the efforts to reach a solution.
Time is running out for us.
Against the prospect of a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Against the prospect of terminating the Turkish occupation and reuniting Cyprus.
In the face of this situation, big empty talk and sloganeering are not enough. Announcements, statements and selective leaks of information to the media about moves and initiatives being taken are not enough. It is not enough to proclaim that we [the Greek Cypriot side] are ready to talk but the Turkish side is negative, which is indeed negative. We must constantly take substantive initiatives that create the prospect of a resumption of the negotiations.
Instead, so far, we are still waiting to see any results from Mr. Christodoulides’ much-publicised proposal for a more active involvement on the part of the European Union, which evidently got stuck in the mud somewhere. Something that was entirely predictable in view of the relevant European Council decisions that clearly set out the Union’s role on the Cyprus problem.
Similarly, the great expectations that the President of the Republic himself has raised among society by constantly invoking “milestones” have also remained meaningless. The supposed “milestones” to which the President referred to have passed, but no developments have been recorded on the Cyprus problem.
What is needed is for the Greek Cypriot side, and the Republic of Cyprus in general, to move forward, without ever abandoning the principles of the solution of the Cyprus problem, throwing down the gauntlet to Turkey. AKEL has put forward a specific proposal on how this can be done. We submitted this proposal to Mr. Anastasiades, and to Mr. Christodoulides too. Our proposal includes four basic steps:
First, the continued emphasis on our consistency and insistence on the agreed basis for a solution of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as outlined in the relevant Resolutions of the UN.
Second, the continuation of the negotiations from where they broke off in 2017 on the basis of the Guterres Framework, preserving all the convergences that have been recorded so far.
Third, the formulation of a positive agenda in relation to Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot community, putting the energy issue at the centre, without of course violating any “red lines”. The Euro-Turkish issues alone cannot unleash the momentum for the resumption of negotiations.
Fourth, the announcement and implementation of concrete measures providing support to the Turkish Cypriot community by the Republic of Cyprus. The President of the Republic long ago stated that the government had prepared measures, but these were never announced. The Turkish Cypriots are our natural allies in the titanic effort to reach a solution and we must earn their trust.
We do not claim that what we propose is “God’s verdict”. Nor is there any guarantee that these proposals will necessarily lead to the resumption of the negotiations. But it is the only way the Greek Cypriot side can convince that we have the political will to move forward. It is the way to put pressure on Turkey to declare its intentions. If Turkey does not act in a constructive way in this case, it will have to bear the responsibility towards the international community. Furthermore, at the very least, if Turkey is exposed, it will not be able to impose new occupation fait accompli without suffering any cost.
AKEL will continue to work and struggle with consistency and continuously for Cyprus to win its future.
AKEL will continue to fight for a solution that ends the Turkish occupation, restores the unity of the land, and safeguards the human rights and basic freedoms of our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike.
AKEL will continue to fight to create conditions of lasting peace, security and cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in which they can build their common future together, co-managing their common state.
This is what we had envisioned as a Party and as a People’s Movement of the Left, when Cyprus was gaining its independence by throwing off colonialism, setting the goal of completing Cyprus’ independence.
This is what we envision to achieve by a solution that liberates and reunites our country and people.
On the day of the sad anniversary of the illegal declaration of the pseudo-state, we are once again shouting out loud:
No to the Turkish occupation and to partition!
Yes to a free, united Cyprus, the common homeland of Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins!
We continue the unrelenting struggle!
Long live our Cyprus!
Long live our people!
