Parties express support for Cyprus talks in Geneva

January 5, 2017

A National Council meeting has concluded on Thursday with almost all of the political party leaders stating that they would decide in the afternoon whether or not they would attend the conference in Geneva on January 12.

On Wednesday President Anastasiades said that the conference will be held in the form of a five-party conference.

At the meeting today, the President presented the Council with two legal consultations from the Greek judge Christos Rozakis and the law firm Law and Allen Pellen Firm.

The President will hold daily consultations with the political party leader in Geneva, deputy government spokesperson Victoras Papadopoulos said.

He added that the National Council was fully informed on the latest development of the Cyprus issue and the way forward.

“The President is completely satisfied with the dialogue, which he held. He will not enter into a public dialogue on what party leaders are saying daily,” he said.

AKEL: NATIONAL COUNCIL WILL HAVE A ROLE IN GENEVA

AKEL Secretary General Andros Kyprianou has said that the National Council will have a role to play in and a say in Geneva.

He added that the Council will discuss with the President and will hold to its positions on certain issues.

Kyprianou said that AKEL supports the process and the President of the Republic’s attempts on the Cyprus issue.

“We need to function with unity, collectiveness, and constructively, to support the process and attempts to be made in Geneva,” Kyprianou said.

Kyprianou also said that the President informed the National Council of a letter he sent to the UN Secretary General, but did not elaborate on the letter’s contents.

He added that AKEL will be present at the conference in Geneva.

DISY WILL ATTEND MEETINGS IN GENEVA

DISY leader Averof Neophytou has said that they will attend talks in Geneva to abolish the treaty of guarantees established in 1960.

He added that according to the legal consultations that were received at the National Council, the Republic of Cyprus will continue to remain a recognised state.

“The Republic of Cyprus is a member of the EU, as has been clarified by the EU, and it will continue to remain a member state after a solution,” he said.

On the presence of the UN Security Council at the talks in Geneva, he said that all members permanent or not will be allowed to be present at the talks next week.

“I hope that they are present, despite the disagreement expressed by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side,” Neophytou said.

DIKO: IT IS OUR DUTY TO GO TO GENEVA

DIKO head Nicholas Papadopoulos has said: “It is our duty to be in Geneva, as it is our duty to defend the interests of the Greek Cypriots.”

Papadopoulos added that the President is contradicting himself daily with his statements.

He reiterated that the agreement on December 1 was a bad decision and he has called on the government to correct the mistakes that have occurred.

Papadopoulos added that nothing can be considered a fact, as Turkey insists that the Republic of Cyprus is not attending.

He said that the President did not give believable answer to the removal of Turkish troops and the abolishment of Turkey’s guarantees.

“Let’s hope that we are proven wrong in relation to our expectations on the Geneva conference, and let’s hope that Nicos Anastasiades proves us wrong,” he said.

SYMMACHIA POLITON: HEADING TO GENEVA WITH RESERVATIONS

Symmachia Politon leader, Yiorgos Lillikas has said that the party would head to talks in Geneva with reservations, but also good will if the President stays true to all that was discussed today at the National Council meeting.

“We have not selected the easy road, to stay here and criticise from afar,” he said.

He added that Turkey has never shown its good will. “Our position is that there must be a date announced for the removal of Turkish troops.”

EDEK: EXTREME DIFFICULTIES HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED

EDEK leader Marinos Sizopoulos has said that the party committee will be deciding at 18:00 if he would attend the meetings in Geneva.

He added that extreme difficulties have been confirmed along with dangers in the process.

Sizopoulos said that the party will continue to submit proposal in order to have the best result.

SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT: AN AGREEMENT IN GENEVA WILL BE THE WORST

Solidarity Movement leader, Eleni Theocharous has said that that an agreement in Geneva will be the worst decision possible.

However, she added that the President appeared to be satisfied by the consultations he has received.

“Let’s hope that everything is the as it seems, and the presence of the President is legally established,” she said.

Theocharous added that her party would be deciding on her presence in Geneva later in the afternoon.

GREENS: TURKEY HAS UNACCEPTABLE DEMANDS

Green party leader Giorgos Perdikis has said that Turkey’s unacceptable demands are continuing.

He added that the party would decide on Thursday evening on his presence at the conference in Geneva.
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