Pending the President of the Republic’s briefing about the meeting in New York, as a first reaction, we want to state the following:
The meeting in New York between the United Nations Secretary-General and the leaders of the two Cypriot communities took place without surprises and yielded the expected results, despite the predictions to the contrary made by various circles and forces.
The continuation and further intensification of the negotiations in order to overcome disagreements on important chapters of the Cyprus problem, which admittedly still exist, was decided.
The goal is to achieve a mutually agreed solution of the Cyprus problem. This goal can be achieved only at the negotiating table without the logic of suffocating timetables and arbitration procedures. Besides these were tried in the past and failed miserably.
The President of the Republic in the negotiation is called upon to be consistent with the agreed framework and principles of the solution of the Cyprus problem and at the same time he should show creativity. This stand lends credibility to the Greek Cypriot side and acts as a protective shield against any attempts and positions to wreck the procedure.
AKEL is aware of the fact that that the passage of time is consolidating the de facto division. The key issue, however, for us, is the content of the solution. We seek a solution that will liberate Cyprus and reunite our country and people within the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
Statement by Stefanos Stephanou, AKEL C.C. Spokesperson
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 26th September 2016, Nicosia
