The new president of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance supports the resumption of the talks from the point where they were interrupted in Crans Montana and the support of the MOUs, Stefanos Kasselakis, in an interview with the Cyprus News Agency. Mr. Kasselakis also underlines the importance of appointing a UN envoy and expresses his party’s absolute support for the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus in this direction.

The newly elected president of SYRIZA, Stefanos Kasselakis, who is visiting Cyprus today, emphasizes that “no dichotomous proposal can be the basis for talks” in the Cyprus issue.

At the same time, it refers to the commitment of the official Greek opposition party to a fair and sustainable solution to the Cypriot conflict, in the context of the UN resolutions for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation solution, without guarantees and occupying troops, for the benefit of the entire Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

At the same time, Mr. Kasselakis notes that “there must be pressure from the EU and our partners, so that Turkey commits, with incentives and disincentives to the dialogue”. In this context, he considers it important to link the Euro-Turkish framework under discussion with the Cyprus issue, and in particular the negotiation for a revised customs union.

“The Greek-Turkish dialogue is a positive development”

Also, referring to the current phase of Greek-Turkish relations, he notes that “the promotion of the Greek-Turkish dialogue is a positive development for the normalization of Greek-Turkish relations”, however he emphasizes that “negative developments in relation to the Cyprus issue will clearly undermine the Greek-Turkish dialogue”.

Also asked about his controversial reference to pseudo-state with the designation “state”, which provoked reactions, Mr. Kasselakis repeated that he “made amends immediately and apologized”. “Alas if people are defined by the mistakes they correct and not by their beliefs and their actions,” he says in KYPE.

In more detail, when asked about the reasons he chose to make his first trip to Cyprus, after his election, the President of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance noted: “I consider it my duty to visit Cyprus first, recognizing and highlighting the importance of fair and sustainable solution of the Cypriot issue for Hellenism, for peace in our region and for Europe as a whole, as the President of the European Parliament emphasized during her visit. And of course, to emphasize the importance of constant coordination and cooperation between Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, in a period with significant challenges but also prospects for our region”.

“SYRIZA-PS, as the Official Opposition and especially as the Government, has a strong legacy of active support for the effort to resolve the Cyprus problem, within the framework of the UN Resolutions – a solution of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, for the benefit of the entire Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots and of Turkish Cypriots, without guarantees and occupying troops. An important battle that was fought and won, so that it was recognized by the UN that a solution with guarantees and occupying troops cannot exist.

At the same time, the Government has promoted, in cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus, schemes such as 3+1 and the Summit of the European Countries of the South, which proved to be of great value. As he has also supported the very important struggle of the Greek diaspora in the USA. In the context of this strong legacy, we will continue to fight”, says Mr. Kasselakis.

In particular, when asked about his famous reference to a “state” for the pseudo-state, he noted: “My positions, like those of the party I represent, are clear.” “As for my mistake, as you know I immediately made amends and apologized. Alas, if people are defined by the mistakes they correct and not by their beliefs and actions,” he pointed out.

Responding to a question about the possible ways to overcome the impasse in the Cyprus problem, Mr. Kasselakis noted that “unfortunately, in the face of the effort to restart the talks, we have the constant intransigence of the Turkish Cypriot leadership and especially of Turkey”.
“It is clear that no dichotomous proposition can form the basis for talks. However, we must insist that talks resume where they left off in Crans Montana. Let’s persist at different levels”, he emphasized.

“First of all, it is very important to appoint a UN envoy and we fully support the effort of the Republic of Cyprus in this direction. At the same time, it is important to connect the Euro-Turkish framework that is currently under discussion, and in particular the negotiation for a revised customs union, with the Cyprus issue, as well as with the delimitation of the EEZ/EEZ of Greece-Turkey in The Hague, as we proposed in 2021”, says the current President of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance.

“There must be pressure from the EU and our partners so that Turkey commits, with incentives and disincentives to the dialogue. He should not be allowed to opportunistically use the dialogue to return to the tension after securing the benefits he seeks”, emphasizes Mr. Kasselakis.

As he also mentions, the effort on Confidence Building Measures must be continued. “Tomorrow I will visit the Commission of Inquiry on Missing Persons which we all know how important work it does. Cyprus needs Confidence Building Measures and not unilateral aggressive actions like the ones we saw in Pyla or Varosia or aggressive statements like the ones we saw from the Turkish President at the UN,” he explains.

When asked if the official opposition party shares the doctrine of co-decision in Cyprus-Greece relations or the doctrine “Cyprus decides and Greece stands by”, Mr. Kasselakis replied: “I believe that in our time doctrines of the past can only do harm . We are and will always be united by the strong bond of Hellenism.”

“From there, two sovereign, modern European states can speak frankly and coordinate to address common challenges and advance their interests. Regarding the essence of the Cyprus negotiation, Greece is not involved in the internal aspects, but in security issues. At the same time, he firmly supports that any solution for the Cyprus issue must be based on respect for the European acquis”, he adds.

Regarding the current phase of Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Kasselakis emphasizes that “the promotion of the Greek-Turkish dialogue is a positive development for the normalization of our relations. However, in order to serve our national interests and peace in the region, the goal should be to appeal to The Hague only for continental shelf/EEZ delimitation and it should be clear that the red lines are our sovereignty and the non-demilitarization of the islands. It should be clear that negative developments in relation to the Cyprus issue, such as those I mentioned above, will clearly undermine the Greek-Turkish dialogue”.

Finally, regarding the term “patriotic Left”, which he uses very often, Mr. Kasselakis points out: “I am talking about a modern, patriotic left because I believe that we must fight on two levels. First, to promote modern, progressive policies to address today’s social and political challenges: to defend social justice, labor rights, the right to housing, against policies that intensify inequalities and exploitation.

To protect the environment with sustainable development policies in the face of the climate crisis. To strengthen the safety of citizens against policies that mortgage their lives for profit or due to clientelistic practices. For the protection of the rule of law and human rights against authoritarianism and discrimination. For the promotion of a developmental, social state and a model of healthy entrepreneurship in the face of entanglement and customer relations”.

“These struggles of ours run through the struggle of the Greek people to defend the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Greece, within the framework of international law, against threats and illegal claims. Against economic and geopolitical dependence on powerful powers. And this fight is not fought with shouting and patriotism and calling your political opponents “national exception”.

It is given by building relationships with our strong partners that are truly mutually beneficial. And it is given by not backing down in difficult times. With the stance taken by the Greek navy in 2018 towards the research vessel Barbaros.

At the same time, it is given – as I said in the video I made about the Prespa Agreement – by doing something that helps the future of your country even if it is difficult, instead of mortgaging this future by hiding one and bidding on the other another”, concludes the President of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance.