Statement by Aristos Damianou, AKEL Political Bureau member, on the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 29th Aug 2020, Nicosia
For quite some time now, AKEL has been warning the government that it must abandon the communication and hence superficial handling of the Cyprus problem and pursue a substantive policy that puts the rights of Cyprus and our people on the table. Even yesterday, the Foreign Minister avoided facing up to the truth. Namely that on the one hand the powerful interests in the EU do not permit effective measures to be approved against Turkey and on the other hand that the deadlock policy pursued by the government ruling forces has once again failed to expose Turkey’s illegal and provocative actions in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone, on the issue of Varosha and elsewhere, receiving only lukewarm reactions and consolation.
Unfortunately, it seems that the EU Foreign Minister’s informal meeting follows the familiar policy with regards Turkey’s illegal actions. No measures will be taken that will disturb Turkey. A careful reading of the statement of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy J. Borrell leads to the conclusion that Turkey will receive yet another timid response. After all, the only thing that might be approved is expanding the list (of sanctions) with a few more names, while the remaining measures are again referred for technical study. In any case, without denigrating anything of their value, the measures taken or to be taken don’t concern our own cause’s substance which is the solution of the Cyprus problem, nor do they solve the difficulties that will continue to exist as to the exploitation of natural gas without a solution.
So instead of the government ruling forces trying by making deceiving statements to deceive citizens and cultivating illusions with sophisticated statements, they must finally change course. Instead of passively monitoring developments and engaging in the communications management of the negative developments, they should act – at long last – with a sense of urgency in the direction of breaching the deadlocks. Turkey’s condemnable stance cannot be an excuse for the government ruling force’s inaction. Without ignoring the obstacles and difficulties caused by Turkey, Mr. Anastasiades must focus on the essence, which is to seek a solution of the Cyprus problem that will liberate and reunite our country and people.
