Statements by the General Secretary of AKEL Andros Kyprianou
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 5 Nov 2018, Nicosia
On AKEL visit to Brussels
The visit to Brussels is taking place after the invitation extended by the Group of the Left to the leaders of the member parties of the Confederal Group of GUE/NGL, but also to other parties that will contest the next European elections, On the one hand it aims to exchange views so that we can contest this election with the best possible prospects and, on the other hand, to ensure that, after the European elections, the Group will re-establish itself on the basis of a minimal policy of common understanding.
Within the framework of our visit to Brussels we will also have a meeting with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Federica Mogherini. Our contacts with her are systematic. We were very recently in Brussels and met with leaders of Political Groups in the European Parliament, however we attach great importance to the meeting with the High Representative of the European Union Mrs. Federica Mogherini because she is the one who handles the Cyprus problem on the part of the European Commission.
On Erdogan’s recent statements
Mr. Erdogan’s statements on the Exclusive Economic Zone and the exploitation of natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin are provocative, unacceptable and indicative, I would say, of the mentality which characterizes him and the way he behaves politically. We consider that all this should be taken into account when we are discussing about the choices we have on the Cyprus problem.
We insist that we have one option only and it is to work for the immediately resumption of the negotiations on the basis of the Guterres framework, from the point we had remained at Crans Montana and with the political will to reach an agreement as soon as possible. If this is not feasible, then the responsibility should lie exclusively with the Turkish side and this should be clear to the international community. That is the only way we will render Mr. Erdogan’s goals and anyone who has any designs against the real interests of both Cyprus and the Cypriot people unattainable.
