Volt has distanced itself from AKEL on the Cyprus issue, warning that some circles are creating a climate of rejection by ‘demonising’ aspects of a potential settlement before negotiations even begin.
In a statement, the intercommunal party criticised what it described as attempts to pre-empt the talks, arguing that such rhetoric “offers a very poor service to the Cypriot people”.
AKEL’s NATO rejection
The intervention marks a clear differentiation from AKEL, whose general secretary Stefanos Stefanou recently reiterated the party’s opposition to any NATO involvement in resolving the Cyprus problem, insisting that “no solution can be sustained without AKEL’s support”.
Speaking at a recent meeting with EU member state ambassadors, Stefanou also voiced reservations about ‘new’ ideas under discussion, including the concept of a loose federation. He further rejected proposals for an evolutionary solution that would unfold over roughly two years, saying such approaches “cannot be accepted”.
The choice
However, Volt stressed that public debate should not be framed as a choice between a UN-driven initiative, referred to as the Holguín plan, and an idealised solution.
“Everyone must understand that the choice is not between the Holguín plan and the ideal solution we have in mind,” Volt said. “It will be between the reunification and the partition of Cyprus.”
The party said that, after nine years of stagnation following the collapse of talks at Crans-Montana in 2017, there are signs of renewed movement that offer a faint hope of avoiding the ‘disastrous outcome’ of permanent partition.
It cautioned, however, that circumstances on the island and internationally have changed significantly over time, making it futile to dwell on missed opportunities.
“What we must do is look to the future and not allow what is likely the last chance to reunite our country to be lost,” the statement said.
Hard border with Turkey
Volt also warned that partition would not resemble the status quo to which many have become accustomed. Instead, it would entail a hard border with Turkey, to be managed without the presence of UNFICYP.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful reunification, the party called on political forces in Cyprus to set aside short-term electoral considerations and respond “to the call of history” to deliver a united island for future generations.
