AKEL leader calls for resumption of Cyprus negotiations

On Sunday, AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou addressed a memorial service in Kokkinotrimithia for Stelios Papas and Nikolas Kailas. He welcomed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's planned visit to Cyprus and his intention to convene an informal expanded meeting aimed at breaking the current diplomatic deadlock. Stefanou emphasized the need for the Greek Cypriot side to work toward resuming negotiations from the point where they were interrupted at Crans-Montana. He argued that the previous talks had come close to a strategic agreement and that existing convergences must be preserved. According to Stefanou, the primary outstanding issues to be resolved are property, security, and guarantees. He maintained that safeguarding the established negotiating acquis is the only viable path to achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem. He further stated that the Greek Cypriot side should consistently support the UN Secretary-General's initiatives to move the process forward.