Cyprus in danger of becoming an aggressive launching pad instead of a bridge of peace

Statement by Yiorgos Loucaides, AKEL Political Bureau member and AKEL-Left-New Forces Representative

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 4 June 2018, Nicosia

On the occasion of the news report published in “Kathimerini” newspaper about Cyprus entering NATO’s waiting room and the government’s subsequent silence on the issue, questions arise which the Presidential Palace is called upon to give an answer.

Firstly, has the policy with regards Cyprus’ accession to the waiting room of NATO returned, as this report mentions?

Secondly, is the government’s official strategy the transformation of Cyprus into an outpost of the West and NATO?

Thirdly, have the country’s armaments been subordinated to the US and NATO warmongering plans for the South East Mediterranean?

Fourthly, are the above, as well as the reports referring to the increase in arms spending in “Kathimerini” newspaper linked to the commitments made by the government in relation to the Permanent Structured Cooperation on security and defence (PESCO)?

To the extent that this report of “Kathimerini” is indeed confirmed, instead of becoming a bridge of peace and solidarity in our troubled area, our country will be in danger of being transformed into an aggressive launching pad of NATO and into a firing and training ground for foreign armies, with all that this would mean for the future of Cyprus.

At the same time, these developments violate the Greek Cypriot side’s long-standing position for the demilitarization of the Republic of Cyprus with the solution of the Cyprus problem. By pursuing such a policy, substantial arguments are provided to the Turkish side to seek the permanent staying of its troops in Cyprus after the solution of the Cyprus problem. We wonder, what are the Anastasiades government’s goals?