MPs to discuss Cyprus talks on November 16

FOLLOWING a heated debate in parliament, it was decided to discuss the Cyprus problem on November 16, despite strong objections from Diko, which wanted to have it five days earlier.

But the two biggest parties, Disy and Akel, pointed out that on Friday, November 11, President Nicos Anastasiades would still be having talks in Switzerland with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, and it would not be right.

The debate kicked off with Disy parliamentary spokesman Nicos Tornarites requesting postponement of the debate, originally set for next Friday, arguing that it would not be right for parliament to discuss the Cyprus problem while the president was negotiating.

Diko chairman Nicolas Papadopoulos objected, saying he had been asking for a debate since September.

He suggested that the people should be told certain parties did not want the discussion.

Papadopoulos proposed having the discussion on Saturday, November 12.

Akel agreed that it was not proper to have the debate at the same time as the negotiations.

MP Giorgos Loukaides said after the president’s return, and after the parties were briefed, there would be a basis on which to talk.

Edek chairman Marinos Sizopoulos suggested that the debate should have been done before the Swiss talks.

Green party chairman Giorgos Perdikes said the country was under authoritarian rule, with the people and the political leadership kept in the dark about the talks, wondering what was the government trying to hide.

He too accused Akel and Disy of not wanting discussion of the matter in parliament.

Disy chief Averof Neophytou rejected the accusations.

“We are not refusing the discussion, which is conducted on a daily basis through the mass media,” Neophytou said.

Loukaides said the leaders’ meeting had agreed, apart from Diko, to have the debate on November 18, prompting Tornarites to ask for the minutes to be made public.

Akel MP Stefanos Stefanou said parties must be briefed first and then discuss the matter.

He added that his party was not afraid to talk and has been doing so on a daily basis.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.