AKEL and CTP Approach to the Cyprus Issue Diverges
Source: North Cyprus News | Online News for North Cyprus
In his recent column, Ulaş Barış discussed a meeting organised by the Peace Association, which took place in the buffer zone. The event featured two prominent political figures: Özdil Nami, former Cyprus negotiator from the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), and Andros Kyprianou, former Secretary General of the Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL). Barış noted that the deep differences in their approaches to the Cyprus issue were starkly evident, Kibris Postasi reports.
Barış, a columnist and programme presenter who attended the event, shared his analysis of the proceedings, emphasising the clear divergence between the CTP’s and AKEL’s visions* for resolving the Cyprus issue. Contrary to what some might believe, Barış pointed out that the two parties are not as aligned in their thinking or actions as often assumed.
He wrote, “It has become evident that AKEL and the CTP are not on the same page, and do not act together, nor are likely to do so in the future regarding the Cyprus issue“.
During the event, Özdil Nami presented a detailed five-point proposal for restarting negotiations on the Cyprus problem, which was recently published during his visit to New York. Nami’s plan, supported by the CTP, called for a structured and time-bound negotiation process focused on achieving a federal solution. It also included provisions for arbitration and sanctions to ensure that there would be no return to the current status quo if the process failed.
Barış expressed some discomfort about this proposal and, during the Q&A session, asked Kyprianou for his opinion on the CTP’s new approach. He posed the question: “Can this method, which follows a ‘win or lose’ logic, really lead to a solution, given the potential dangers it presents?“
Kyprianou’s response left the room in a tense silence. He stated that while he had previously heard of the CTP’s proposal, it was not something that any President of the Republic of Cyprus, including himself, would ever accept. This created an awkward moment at the event, with Kyprianou’s firm rejection underscoring the divide between the two parties.
Kibris Postasi
*Background: History of Cooperation between AKEL and CTP
The relationship between AKEL and CTP has historically been one of cautious cooperation, largely based on their shared left-wing ideologies and a mutual desire to find a peaceful resolution to the Cyprus conflict. Both parties have traditionally supported a federal solution, viewing it as the most viable path to reunification of the island.
During the early 2000s, both parties worked closely on the Annan Plan, a UN-backed initiative to reunify Cyprus. AKEL, while sceptical of some aspects of the plan, eventually supported it, as did the CTP, though the plan was ultimately rejected by the Greek Cypriot side. This marked a key moment of collaboration, as both parties had advocated for peace and reconciliation.
However, since then, their approaches to negotiations have diverged. AKEL has generally taken a more cautious stance, reflecting the broader hesitancy within Greek Cypriot society. Meanwhile, the CTP has maintained a more proactive approach, pushing for federalism and closer ties between the two communities on the island.
The differences in the recent event highlight the evolving nature of this relationship, as AKEL appears to be growing more sceptical of the current proposals put forward by the CTP, signalling a potential shift in the broader dynamics of peace negotiations on the island. [Ed.]
The original article: belongs to North Cyprus News | Online News for North Cyprus .
