Political backlash from Cyprus parties on Akinci's statements

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci’s statements on a five-party conference in Geneva have instigated the reactions of Cyprus’ political parties on Tuesday.

Earlier, Akinci said that the Republic of Cyprus would not sign a settlement to the island's 42-year-old issue, but that it would be signed by a future federal Cyprus.

AKEL: STATEMENTS WHICH DAMAGE SHOULD BE AVOIDED

In a written statement AKEL’s spokesperson, Stephanos Stephanou, has said that statements, which could be damaging to the negotiating process should be avoided.

“We ask that all those involved focus on the especially difficult attempt to find a solution the Cyprus problem and avoid actions or statements that could negatively affect the negotiating process,” the statement said.

DIKO: THE ONLY SECURITY IS IN THE FORMAL UN INVITATION

“26 days have passed since the Anastasiades-Akinci-Eide dinner.  Today, 26 days later and approximately 15 days before the Geneva conference, the Republic of Cyprus has still not been formally invited by the UN to take part in the conference,” DIKO spokesperson Athos Antoniades told SigmaLive.

He added that the only security for the Republic of Cyprus will be if the country is formally invited by the UN.  

Antoniades has also called on the government to disprove Akinci’s statemets.

EDEK: UNJUSTIFIED INACTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT

The EDEK party has accused the government of unjustified inaction in the run-up to the Geneva conference.

The party’s statement said that the government should have already made use of the new facts that strengthen the Greek Cypriot position.

Russia, France, and China have announced that they want to present at the conference, the party statement added. 

EDEK has said that the Republic of Cyprus should have put in a request with the UN that the five permanent members of the Security Council and the country itself should be present at the conference in Geneva.

SOLIDARITY: THE PRESIDENT HAS NEGATED HIMSELF 

The head of the Solidarity Movement, Eleni Theocharous, has said that Akinci has repeated his insistence that a five-party conference will be held in Geneva, while President Anastasiades said that the Republic of Cyprus will be present in Geneva.  “What is the truth? Utter confusion,” her statement said.

“The President is leading Cyprus into adventures, and has shown that he was right when he said that he could not carry the Cyprus problem on his shoulders alone.  Unfortunately, he has negated himself and faltered, leading the Republic of Cyprus to falter as well,” her statement said.

SYMMACHIA POLITON: SPECIFIC ACTION NEEDED AND NOT STATEMENTS

In an announcement, Symmachia Politon has said that after Akinci’s statements and insistence on a five-party conference, it is necessary to secure the presence of the Republic of Cyprus at the conference in Geneva.

The party added that President Anastasiades needs to take action to secure the presence of the Republic at the conference, and not simply make statements that it will be present. 

Symmachia Politon added that the party expected President Anastasiades would convene the National Council before the holidays to prepare the positions of the Greek Cypriot side. 

GREENS: AGREEMENT ON DECEMBER 1 WAS BINDING

The Green party has said that the statement on December 1 and Akinci’s insistence on a five-party conference show that “we are definitely heading to a five-party conference in Geneva.”

Akinci’s recent statements have negated the position of the government of Cyprus, which is to discuss the security and guarantees issue in Geneva.

“In Geneva, what we have been emphasising for some time will occur, a giant bazar on all the open issues, without the participation of the UN Security Council and the European Union.  Even if the EU is present, it will be there solely as an observer,” the part said.

The party has advised the President to request the active role of the UN Security Council and the EU at the conference, “otherwise he will remain trapped in a process, which in the end will be dangerous for Cyprus.” 

“Political daring is necessary now.  If Turkey openly denies the presence of the five permanent members of the Security Council and the European Union, President Anastasiades is obligated to cancel the conference in Geneva.  It is clear a trap has been set, which needs to be exposed and complained about internationally,” the statement added.

ELAM: HEADING TOWARDS THE BURIAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

ELAM has said that Akinci’s statements have negated the President’s position, and that they would not be accomplices in the “crime that will take place in Switzerland, on the backs of the Greek Cypriots.”

The party has said that the government and the opposition will bear the weight of what will happen in Geneva. 

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