Closer ties with Nato would not only render the island Cyprus a pillar of security and stability in the region but would also create better conditions for a solution to the Cyprus problem, Disy leader and House Speaker Annita Demetriou said on Friday.
A day after President Nikos Christodulides announced that Cyprus was going full steam ahead to get on the Nato ladder through closer military cooperation with the US, Demetriou said Disy fully supported the president in this.
However, she cautioned during a news conference that Disy, as an opposition party, would be keeping a close eye on “inaction, indecisiveness and communication games”, in respect of the move towards the US and Nato.
Calling on the other political parties to “choose the right side” in this, Demetrou had words for left-wing opposition party Akel, which has always been opposed to closer cooperation with the Western powers, even after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Demetriou said Cyprus must adhere to principles and values of the free democratic world. “The Western orientation of the country is non-negotiable,” she said.
“Akel is once again on the wrong side of history. It has reached the point, without intending to of course, of using the same arguments invoked by Turkey.”
Turkey, a Nato member, will oppose any moves by Cyprus to join the military bloc by citing the Cyprus issue. But there are Nato association mechanisms for non-members like Cyprus that do not need Ankara’s approval.
Akel said on Thursday in response to the president, that his actions would harm the resumption of Cyprus negotiations because Turkey would become more hard-line, and the security of the country would be severely compromised.
“Does the government understand the difference between building alliances and pledging the country to foreign armies and foreign interests?” the party said.
“It’s short-sighted, dangerous and contrary to the interests of our homeland and people,” Akel added.
Demetriou said Cyprus was faced with two choices – either with the West or their rivals. “We can’t hide and we can’t have a foot in two boats,” she said. “This is the situation we’re faced with.
“Cyprus has an opportunity to be a factor of security and peace in our region and if this is strengthened there is a chance for better conditions for a solution of the Cyprus problem”.
Demetriou also pointed out that the path was pre-determined and passed through Cyprus’ EU accession in 2004 and the “countless economic and social benefits” Cypriots now enjoy.
“The interests, well-being and security of our people will come with the final integration of our country in all institutions and organisations of political, economic and defence cooperation of the West,” she added.
What was important now, Demetriou said was to proceed on this path with “credibility and consistency”.
“We are at a crossroads today, that is, on the one hand, the European and Western and on the other hand, the pursuit of the non-aligned, the recycling of cold war misery, anti-Western sentiment and the trading in fear,” she concluded.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot side on Friday complained of their rights being ignored and that the search for a solution was being undermined by the Greek Cypriots taking unilateral action.
Tufan Erhurman, leader of the Republican Turkish party said Nato membership would be impossible for The Republic of Cyprus without a solution.
“The main issue is not Nato membership, but the increase in armaments in the region,” he added with Cyprus providing a base for the US.
“This strategy is just an attempt to make them feel safe facing Turkey. But when they think of enlisting the support of the great powers, they fail to understand that these states will undercut them instead of supporting them,” he added.
“The way for the Turkish Cypriot people to merge with the world goes through a Cyprus solution,” he said.
