GC National Council: Turkey Could Abandon Two-State Policy for EU Goals

According to Politis and other newspapers, the positions of DISY, AKEL, ELAM, DIKO, ALMA and DIPA following the meeting drew significant attention.

DISY

DISY leader Annita Demetriou said after the meeting that there was a need for unity, realism and a strategic assessment of changing international dynamics.

She stated that she had the impression new opportunities were emerging that should be evaluated seriously and strategically, adding that Turkey’s aspirations regarding the EU could be used as leverage to pressure Ankara into abandoning its two-state solution stance.

AKEL

AKEL Secretary-General Stefanos Stefanou reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side must maintain a clear position, stressing that they support the resumption of negotiations from where they stopped in Crans-Montana in 2017.

Stefanou also said he was not certain whether UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ term would be sufficient to complete a second initiative on Cyprus, but suggested Guterres may be attempting to leave a framework for his successor to continue efforts toward a settlement.

ELAM and DIKO

ELAM leader Christos Christou reiterated his party’s opposition to a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.

DIKO leader Nicolas Papadopoulos expressed support for Christodoulides’ efforts to convene an expanded conference, adding that the EU plays a key role in applying pressure on Turkey.

ALMA and DIPA

ALMA leader Odysseas Michaelides welcomed the UN Secretary-General’s initiative, describing it as highly positive.

DIPA leader Fidias Panayiotou stated that his party has not yet formulated a position on the Cyprus issue and will consult internally before deciding whether it supports a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation solution.