Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou

The stalemate should be broken by resuming negotiations based on what the UN Secretary-General calls for

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 22 July 2019, Nicosia

The prolonged stalemate on the Cyprus problem, coupled with the new fait accompli due to Turkey’s aggressive actions in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone, form a dangerous situation that can lead to undesirable developments.

One way exists to stop the dangers and open up the prospect for the Cyprus problem as well, but also for the safe exploitation of our people’s natural wealth. That is to say, the current deadlock should be broken by resuming the negotiations on the Cyprus problem on the basis of what the Secretary General of the UN is calling for.

President Anastasiades must go to the meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader with the aim of confirming in a convincing way his clear and irrevocable commitment to the solution of a bizonal-bicommunal federation with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship, a single international personality and with political equality of the two communities, as defined in the relevant UN resolutions.

He should also confirm in the same clear manner that the negotiations will be based on the Guterres Framework and agreed convergences. AKEL calls on the two leaders to confirm all this in their meeting and to then jointly address the UN Secretary-General, which he himself – and not by chance – has repeatedly asked after the break down at Crans Montana. That’s how the way is opened up for the Secretary-General to convene an informal conference with a Crans Montana composition, so as to proceed subsequently to the resumption of substantive talks.

In verifying how dead-end and damaging it is, particularly now, to be seeking other paths and strategies, we are called upon to act with determination, will and consistency to principles.