Chris Panayiotou, editor of the newspaper “Politis,” Chris Panayiotou, the publisher of the newspaper “Politis,” describes the account by former DISY President Averof Neophytou regarding a dinner at a well-known fish tavern in Nicosia, where, in the presence of both himself and party President Annita Dimitriou, an agreement was reached regarding her election as Speaker of the House and his support for her in the 2028 presidential election.
Chris: “There was no such agreement, nor could there have been one.”
In a written statement using “strong language,” Mr. Panayiotou confirms the dinner, denies the agreement, and asks “who could possibly bind an entire party over a plate of food” and conveys to Mr. Neophytou that “your decision yesterday was a major disappointment.”
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“Taking a private conversation and turning it into a weapon for your own candidacy is petty. It doesn’t show strength. It shows just how low you’re willing to stoop when your plans don’t work out. I won’t make public what was said between us. I keep my word even when the other person doesn’t respect theirs. But be sure of one thing: you will not use my name to write the story as it suits you.”
Read Mr. Panagiotou’s statement:
“Dear Averoff
For nearly two years now, as editor-in-chief of Politis, I have been meeting with political leaders. We discuss the Cyprus issue, the economy, politics, and whatever else concerns the country. That’s what we did with the editor of the newspaper, D. Dionysiou, at the meeting we had with you and Anita Dimitriou.
The same thing happened when we met with the President of the Republic, the Secretary-General of AKEL, the President of DIKO, and a host of other politicians and diplomats. We discuss, exchange views, propose solutions, and occasionally comment freely on current events.
The attempt, therefore, to portray a dinner as an agreement regarding the 2028 presidential election is, to say the least, ridiculous. There was no such agreement, nor could there have been. Who, really, could bind an entire party over a single meal?
Dear Averoff
Your decision yesterday was a huge disappointment. Taking a private conversation and turning it into a weapon for your own candidacy is petty. It doesn’t show strength. It shows just how low you’re willing to stoop when your plans don’t work out.
I will not make public what was said between us. I keep my word even when the other person does not honor theirs. But rest assured of one thing: you will not use my name to write the story however it suits you.
Chris Panagiotou”
Averoff: “Neither champagne nor whiskey dictate my political decisions”
“I’m glad Mr. Panayiotou is confirming the dinner,” replied Averof Neophytou when asked to comment on Chris Panayiotou’s response during a press conference he held today at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia.
“Beyond that, the announcement of my candidacy has nothing to do with any dinner; the political substance and my political announcement are not a matter of menus or food.”
In response to a reporter’s question, he noted that “Chris didn’t want to meet with me in his capacity as a publisher.”
“I am in politics with political positions. My political decisions are based on political principles; neither dinners, nor menus, nor wines, nor champagnes, nor whiskeys determine my political decisions.”
