Statements by the General Secretary of AKEL Andros Kyprianou after the session of the National Council
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 10th July 2017, Nicosia
Today we were briefed by the President of the Republic about what had been discussed on Thursday evening until the morning when the Conference on the Cyprus problem was over. It has been decided that the National Council will convene again next Monday to exchange views on the situation that has evolved, but also more importantly in my view, of course, what the next steps are.
I want to say the following. As I see some circles and forces are happy about the outcome in Crans Montana, I’d like to point out that we will have to realize that not only has the Cyprus problem not been resolved, but we are no closer to its solution and unfortunately we have distanced ourselves even further from a solution
This is the result and we have to assess the given situation as it has been evolved on this basis by bearing in mind the statements issued by the UN, but also Turkey about how the conditions are evolving after and since the failure at Crans Montana.
As far as AKEL is concerned, I can’t hide from you the fact that we are very worried that the situation will be perpetuated as it is currently developing, with very negative facts for on our side, and that intensive efforts are needed to address the situation.
I don’t want to say anything more. I said in the morning as well that I prefer to talk first at the National Council and submit AKEL’s positions and views. First and foremost, I prefer to express our views on how we should deal with the situation as it is evolving, and secondly about what happened in Crans Montana, even though it also has its own significance. I repeat that the situation is at a very critical phase, I would describe it as reaching a limit and we need to see how we give once again the hope and prospect that our country can look forward to the future with optimism. As things are developing right now, I am afraid that they are anything conveying such a message.
What went wrong? Didn’t we correctly evaluate Turkey’s position? Did we believe Turkey was ready to make some move on security and guarantees work, but it eventually didn’t?
I’d say that Turkey is the side that bears the main responsibility for the outcome not only today, but it has always been behaving in a provocative and unacceptable way. Some of the demands it puts forward cannot be accepted. The question that we have to pay particular attention to is whether we have acted in a way that would make the promotion of Turkey’s goals unfeasible or make things difficult for it throughout this procedure. That’s precisely where our efforts must be focused on in my view because we know very well how Turkey acts and operates so far. Let’s discuss all these issues first at the National Council and then we will express our views to the public.
In the afternoon you are departing for Athens…
I consider that it is imperative that we should discuss as a Party as well with the Greek government about the next steps to be taken as I have said previously. This is what we are most interested in. There will certainly be a reference to what has happened at Crans Montana, but that won’t be the main issue. The main thing is how we will proceed further.
So, aren’t you satisfied with the President’s handling at Crans Montana?
We have strongly criticized Mr. Anastasiades over the past few months. We also have our own views and positions on the handlings made in Switzerland. Let us have our discussion next Monday and state our views first at the National Council. I think it is more correct to express our views there first and then in public. We do not behave like others do and we do not want to invest in mistakes or negative developments.
Have you submitted any questions to the President of the Republic?
Today was just a briefing. We didn’t go into any other procedure whatsoever.
