The Ecologists’ leadership shields Anastasiades’ handlings on the Cyprus problem

Statement by Yiorgos, Loucaides, AKEL Political Bureau member and Parliamentary Representative of AKEL-Left-New Forces

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 29 April 2018, Nicosia

As it did also during the period 2009-2014, the leadership of the Ecologists has every right to agree and shield Anastasiades’ handling of the Cyprus problem at Crans Montana, as it had also agreed with the President’s handling of the Enosis referendum issue, with the bringing back on his part of the policy of “protaxis” (Note: the policy of setting “preconditions” that predetermine the results of negotiations) before going to the talks, as with numerous other handlings from Mont Peleran 1 one onwards. However, the Ecologist’s leadership has no right to attempt in an unsubstantiated way to identify AKEL’s consistent stand and policy with the inconsistency demonstrated by Mr. Anastasiades on the Cyprus problem.

Nor even more so does it have the right to portray in an insulting way AKEL as ready to accept Turkey’s demands. We consider that a little more seriousness and respect wouldn’t harm at all. We hope and wish the Ecologists’ leadership abandon whatever considerations, which only provoke a confrontation without any substance, unless it aims for the next five years as well to continue its stand from where it had remained in the Second Round of the Presidential Election.