The AKEL municipal group in Paphos has voiced strong opposition to a proposal to rename Kemal Ataturk Street in the Turkish Cypriot quarter of Mouttalos, describing the issue as highly sensitive and calling for careful handling.
The latest intervention follows a proposal to change the name of Kemal Ataturk Street. The municipal group noted that the position of the Foreign Ministry has yet to be made public, despite having been requested some time ago.
AKEL said the matter required seriousness and caution. It noted that Mouttalos is the historic Turkish Cypriot quarter of Paphos and is now home, primarily on a temporary basis, to Greek Cypriot refugees displaced by the Turkish invasion.
The party's municipal group also argued that changing street names linked to the Turkish Cypriot community raised concerns because, as it stated, "what we rightly accuse the Turkish Cypriot side of doing through the renaming of streets and place names, we are now coming to implement ourselves."
It also described the debate as ill-timed, particularly in light of developments and renewed activity surrounding the Cyprus issue.
The municipal group further questioned what it described as the haste being shown by the acting mayor while the official position of the Foreign Ministry has not yet been received.
AKEL reiterated that its primary objective remains the achievement of a fair settlement of the Cyprus issue and the reunification of Cyprus and its people. It also called on members of the Municipal Council to approach the matter with the prospect of a Cyprus settlement in mind rather than political expediency.
The municipal group said it would maintain its position during the Municipal Council meeting and continue to support efforts aimed at resolving the Cyprus issue.
