14 December 2023, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

On 30 November, AKEL, in a letter from the party’s General Secretary, Stefanos Stefanou, to the President of the Republic, called for the convening of the National Council. It reiterated its request in a statement dated 7 December. The convening of the National Council is imperative and the continued refusal of President Christodoulides to do so raises concerns about the way in which he perceives the role of the body.

The ongoing negotiating deadlock [on the Cyprus problem], the new fait accompli being attempted by the occupying power Turkey in Pyla, Agios Dometios and Deryneia and the new issue that has arisen with Erdogan’s invitation to the President to visit Turkey are just some of the issues that underline the need to convene the National Council.

AKEL expects the President to inform the National Council about the latest developments and the handling he intends to do. The President of the Republic must brief the political forces responsibly, unless he considers targeted leaks to the media from the Presidency to be called briefing.

At the National Council, both the President of the Republic and the parliamentary parties have the opportunity to outline their assessments and recommendations on the Cyprus problem in a responsible manner and before everyone. The President obviously has the final say on the decisions taken, but also the responsibility for them.