THE government and ruling AKEL yesterday objected to a centre-right European politician describing the administration as “Europhobic” in a congratulatory letter sent to opposition DISY for their election success.
In a letter to DISY chief Nicos Anastassiades, the leader of the European People’s Party (EPP) Wilfried Martens said the election result was “a strong vote of confidence for Europe since DISY was the leading and reliable proponent of the European project in Cyprus.”
He added: “Even though Europe has been sidelined in the last three years by the current Cypriot President, I am convinced that DISY’s victory marks the beginning of the end of his left, Europhobic governance.”
The EPP is the largest political party at a European level, currently including 75 member-parties from 39 countries, the Presidents of the Commission, Council, and Parliament, 16 EU and 6 non-EU heads of state and government, 13 members of the European Commission and the largest Group in the European Parliament.
Martens said the result of Sunday’s poll was particularly welcomed since it “has strengthened the wave of EPP victories across Europe. Like most Europeans in recent months, Cypriots have given their trust to a party that can secure much needed economic growth, employment opportunities, public sector reforms, and fiscal stability.”
Deputy government spokesman Christos Christophides rejected the suggestion that President Demetris Christofias’ governance was Europhobic.
He also expressed sadness because despite the elections being over and Christofias’ urge for unity “some insist on maintaining high tones and hurt the effort we make on the international and European stages.”
“We do not want to believe that while mounting this huge effort it is possible for political forces here in Cyprus to convey messages which hurt this effort, Cyprus, and the struggle we are undertaking,” the deputy spokesman said.
Ruling AKEL said Martens’ position was unsubstantiated.
“Cyprus participates creatively in European political affairs and any different views submitted by the Christofias government are not a rejection of the EU in general but aim in tackling the neo-liberal, anti-popular choices and policies of militarising” the bloc, an AKEL statement said.
Similar positions are also voiced by prominent people of the European right, without being labeled as Europhobic, the party said.
AKEL said the government’s creative stance in Europe together with the correct handling of the Cyprus problem has elevated Christofias’ relations with European leaders of other ideological backgrounds to a high level.
DISY needs to correct the “wrong impressions, which seem to be created in the EPP” since this could hurt the people and the country.
