Turkey’s provocativeness should be addressed by substantive negotiations on the Cyprus problem

We are concerned about the escalating Turkish aggression. Turkey is unacceptable. Its actions, as well as its public positions, in our view, go beyond any framework of legality and are unacceptable and reprehensible. It needs to be addressed with determination.
The initiatives taken by the government – and more specifically the Foreign Minister – are certainly positive. But they are not going to solve the problem we are facing.
AKEL is adamant that to address Turkey’s aggression and its escalating provocative actions, we should leave no excuses for Turkey to cite. And these will only be taken away when and provided that substantive negotiations resume.
We understand that up to October, when the voting process will take place in the Turkish Cypriot community, there can be no developments on the Cyprus problem. However, AKEL’s position is that the government must use all this time, on the one hand, to cultivate a proper atmosphere in Cypriot society and on the other hand, to prepare the ground for the resumption of substantive negotiations immediately after the vote in the Turkish Cypriot community.
Of course, who will be the next leader of the Turkish Cypriot community is of great significance. This refers us that valuable time has been lost over the last three years and there is unfortunately a danger that a politician who will seek to promote a two-state solution will assume the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community, which would be disastrous for Cyprus. Therefore the government needs to take initiatives. It needs to create the proper conditions and be ready to take initiatives after October to resume substantive negotiations.
At the same time, we want to call on the government to step up its efforts to reopen the checkpoints not just for Turkish Cypriot workers and students who work or go to schools in the free areas. The checkpoints need to be opened, taking of course all the necessary measures for public health, with the aim of resuming contacts between the two communities and creating such a climate that will help the efforts for the resumption of talks and a solution of the Cyprus problem.

Statements by the General Secretary of AKEL A.Kyprianou