New “sparkles” have ignited on the political scene against the backdrop of the NATO Summit.

In a statement, AKEL describes the summit as “tailored to the needs of Turkey and Erdogan,” while calling for the dismantling of the illusions being cultivated“
regarding what Cyprus can truly expect from U.S.-NATO actors and the much-touted Western orientation of the Christodoulides government.”

At the same time, it characterizes the North Atlantic Alliance as the “sponsor of the Turkish occupation and the entire Cypriot tragedy.”

This statement did not go unanswered by either the Democratic Alarm or the government, which accused the left-wing party of being fixated on the issue.

Government Criticizes AKEL

Through Victor Papadopoulos, the government launched an attack on AKEL, noting that it confirms once again “that the party’s leadership remains trapped in the ideological obsessions of a bygone era, unable to grasp today’s geopolitical realities and the security needs of the Republic of Cyprus.”

Mr. Papadopoulos notes that “AKEL’s ideological rigidity leads to self-isolation. At a time when Turkey is seeking to elevate its role at all levels, the Republic of Cyprus’s response cannot be absence. It must be an active presence. It is the strengthening of our deterrent capability, the bolstering of our economy, and the reinforcement of all the country’s sources of power. It is leveraging our status as a member state of the European Union. It is deepening strategic relations with countries that can influence developments and balances of power.”

He also emphasizes that, “the government of President Nikos Christodoulides is pursuing a responsible, multidimensional, and credible foreign policy, with a clear orientation and guided solely by the national interest. A policy that has already enhanced the international image of the Republic of Cyprus and strengthened our relations with Greece, France, the European Union, the United States of America, and key regional partners, and has established Cyprus as a stabilizing force in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Through this policy, the Republic of Cyprus is also strengthening its position on the Cyprus issue. The more active involvement of the United Nations Secretary-General, the new effort to resume talks, and the clear linking of EU-Turkey relations to Turkey’s obligations toward the Republic of Cyprus and to progress on the Cyprus issue constitute concrete political results. It is diplomatic capital that is being methodically built.”

“AKEL cannot present inaction and isolation as a patriotic stance or as realism. Cyprus is not protected by slogans from the past. It is protected by strong alliances, a credible presence, clear positions, and the consistent defense of its sovereign rights. And that is exactly what it has been doing consistently. The Government will continue to work diligently to strengthen the international standing of the Republic of Cyprus, to ensure the security of the Cypriot people, to end the occupation, and to achieve a solution that will lead to the liberation and reunification of our homeland,” Mr. Papadopoulos concluded.

The DISY Response

The Democratic Rally took a similar stance, issuing a statement earlier in which it accused the left-wing party of ideological rigidity and dogmatic obsessions.

“At a time of intense geopolitical developments and international processes regarding the Cyprus issue, AKEL chooses to prioritize ideological rigidity and dogmatic obsessions over the supreme national goal of reunification and liberation from Turkish troops, through the achievement of a viable and functional solution. The Democratic Alarm believes that the resolution of the Cyprus problem, security issues, and the prospect of NATO membership must be evaluated exclusively in the light of the national interest, the protection of the Republic of Cyprus and its citizens, and not through the ideological lenses of bygone eras,” Pindarou stated.

She also emphasized that “Cyprus needs strategy, realism, and strong international alliances. Ideological obsessions cannot serve as a compass for the future of our country.”

AKEL’s Criticism Opens a New Front

“Widespread preparations for war, billions of euros in contracts for the U.S. defense industry, the militarization of national economies, escalation of the war in Ukraine, and a drastic upgrade of Turkey’s military capabilities. This is the legacy of the NATO Summit in Ankara, which marks a new and dangerous escalation of the Alliance’s imperialist aggression and a new wave of militarization of the planet, which can only cause concern among the peoples of the world,” AKEL states in its announcement.

It adds that this should be a cause for double concern for Cyprus and its people, “since the NATO summit was tailored to suit Turkey and Erdogan. Trump and Rutte’s praise for Erdogan, the U.S. government’s intentions to lift previous sanctions on Turkey regarding military equipment, as well as statements by EU officials on Turkey’s role in European defense and security are indicative of the role that the U.S., NATO, and the EU attribute to the occupying power.”

“Indeed,” he adds, “all these gifts and benefits that Turkey receives are proceeding without the slightest change in Ankara’s systematic and brutal violation of the principles of international law, good neighborliness, democracy, and human rights on the part of Ankara, and while the Turkish occupation of Cyprus continues. These realities shatter the illusions that are being cultivated, regarding what Cyprus can truly expect from the U.S.-NATO factor and the much-touted Western orientation of the Christodoulides government. Moreover, these developments constitute yet another response to those who advocate for NATO’s involvement in resolving the Cyprus issue or even for our country’s accession to a military alliance in which Turkey plays the role of deputy commander.”

“AKEL emphasizes that NATO was and remains the sponsor of the Turkish occupation and the entire Cypriot tragedy; it was and remains a deadly threat to world peace, a constant danger to the peoples of the world. AKEL joins its voice with the tens of millions around the world who demand that NATO be dissolved, that the disastrous course toward a global outbreak of war be averted, and for respect for international law and peace to prevail.”