Home  |  News   |  The General Secretary of AKEL A.Kyprianou replies to journalist’s questions on the Cyprus problem

The General Secretary of AKEL A.Kyprianou replies to journalist’s questions on the Cyprus problem

 

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 1st May 2021, Nicosia

Q: Mr. Kyprianou could you make an assessment after your return from Geneva? AKEL does not – at least according to what has been said – appear optimistic.

AK: “As developments have evolved at the moment, no one can be optimistic. On the contrary, we must be concerned about what the future holds. This specific period needs to be made use of right up to the next informal conference that will be convened by the UN Secretary General – first and foremost for Turkey to be pressured to move from the intransigent positions it currently supports. Turkey will not be pressured under any circumstances by approaches that do not create some prospect of a solution to the Cyprus problem.

I want to make it clear that I do not mean that we need to make concessions on issues of principle, on the contrary. I will repeat over and over again that we must be unwavering on issues concerning the principles for the solution of the Cyprus problem. Where we need to be flexible is on the tactics we need to apply to corner Turkey.

We will study collectively the situation as it is being formulated. We will reflect and seek to elaborate a proposal on the basis of the new conditions as they have developed. We shall address the President of the Republic. We realize how critical and difficult things are and AKEL will assume its own political responsibilities to address the situation. I hope and wish that both Mr. Anastasiades and DISY, as well as the other political parties, realize the difficult position our country is at the moment.”

Q: At the same time, you have announced an initiative with the Turkish Cypriots who support Bi-Zonal Bicommunal Federation. Can you describe this a little?

AK: “We met with the Turkish Cypriot political parties seeking a solution on the agreed basis in Geneva too and exchanged views. We agreed on our return to Cyprus that immediately after the Parliamentary elections we will meet to give a practical meaning to a possible initiative we will undertake jointly. It’s too early to say anything about this initiative right now. We’ll see how the situation will develop when we meet.”

Q: Do you consider that the three or four months announced by UN Secretary General will be enough time for any serious problems to be healed or overcome?

AK: “What is demanded is political will. If there is political will, even a week is enough. If there is no political will to reach an agreement based on the agreed framework of the solution, then no matter how many years pass by, we will not be able to reach an agreement.

Our assessment is that it will be very difficult for the Secretary General to convene the next conference, unless the facts/situation change. That is, unless it does not become clear that Turkey is abandoning its intransigent demands and unacceptable positions and will return to the agreed framework of the solution.”

PREV

AKEL Declaration on Worker’s 1st Day 2021

NEXT

AKEL on World Press Freedom Day