The most effective way to address any new Turkish machinations is the Greek Cypriot side’s firm commitment to a resumption of the negotiation procedure in the manner proposed by the UNSG

Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou

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

The press reports concerning the intention to create a Turkish military base in the occupied areas need to be confirmed and cannot be considered as given. However, neither can they be ignored. The government must investigate these reports and act proactively.

A possible implementation of such ideas would deal a severe blow to the efforts to find a solution of the Cyprus problem and indeed at a crucial time during which the evaluations of the UN Secretary-General are expected on whether or not there is ground for a resumption of the negotiation procedure.

In any case, the relevant reports confirm for the umpteenth time that the passive passage of time continuously creates new faits accompli that aggravate the situation and make it increasingly difficult to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the agreed framework. They also confirm that any thoughts about abandoning the agreed principle of demilitarization would lead to undesirable ramifications.

As the countdown begins for the submission of the Report of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Cyprus Mrs. Lute which will to a great degree determine Mr. Guterres’ next steps, the most effective way to address any new Turkish machinations is the firm commitment of the Greek Cypriot side to a resumption of the negotiation procedure in the manner proposed by the UN Secretary-General himself.