Direct Democracy leader Fidias Panayiotou criticised President Nikos Christodoulides for the absence of substantive results on the Cyprus problem, speaking after the meeting of the National Council at the Presidential Palace. "Today I will be a little harsh with the President of the Republic," he said, noting that 111 months have passed since Crans-Montana, where the last talks took place, without any substantive development that would allow negotiations to resume. He said this spoke volumes, including about foreign policy, arguing that despite claims that Cyprus is particularly successful in that field, no real progress has been made on the Cyprus problem. Foreign policy may sound successful, he added, but in substance it is not bearing the fruit the country would want on the Cyprus problem.
Regional risks and the record of the president
Panayiotou said he also raised the question of geostrategic risks in the region during the meeting. He argued that Iran is growing stronger following recent developments, that the region is unstable and that Israel and Turkey could become involved in a possible conflict in the future, which means Cyprus must be very careful. He said he also discussed, to a lesser extent, the risks the Great Sea Interconnector may carry, adding that he is not very pleased with developments. The Direct Democracy leader questioned whether Christodoulides, who also served as foreign minister, had achieved any result on the Cyprus problem, saying he has been in a position of power for almost 10 years with the ability to deliver substantive results, and that the career that followed produced no real fruit. On his own proposals, Panayiotou said he believes the relevant discussions should remain within the National Council, noting that this is a promise he has made publicly. Responding to a question, he acknowledged that Turkey is also a factor, but maintained that Christodoulides appears likely to be perhaps the only president who has failed to bring the Cyprus problem to negotiations. Our policies, he concluded, do not appear to be working.
Source: CNA
