Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou

AKEL denouncesTurkey’s announcement to open a Turkish consulate in the occupied fenced-off city of Famagusta

A new illegal action and provocation by Turkey against Cyprus violating international law

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 9^th September 2019, Nicosia

AKEL denounces the new provocative action by the occupying force, which via the Turkish Foreign Minister, has announced the opening of a Turkish consulate in the occupied fenced-off city of Famagusta. This represents a new illegal action and constitutes a provocation by Turkey against Cyprus and violates international law. This action undermines the efforts for a resumptionof substantive negotiations on the Cyprus problem as it comes at a time when there is a last-ditch effort to reach a conclusion on terms of reference.

AKEL reiterates that the two leaders must remain focused on the effortfor the resumption of meaningful negotiations to commence based on the agreed basis of bi-zonal bi-communal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. The conclusion on terms of reference should not have been a difficult task to accomplish, given that the 2014 Joint Declaration, the convergences up to Crans Montana and the Guterres Framework provide all that is needed to move on to the next phase.

We stress once again that the prolonged gap innegotiations, in combination with Turkey being relievedof any responsibility and a possible apportioning of responsibilities on the Greek Cypriot side too, facilitates the occupyingpowerin provoking new serious fait accompliagainst Cyprus and its people.

Only the liberation and reunification of Cyprus and our people can put a stop to the new fait accomplibeing promoted by the occupying power. The only way to achieve this goal is at the negotiating tablefor the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem.