The positions of the five main candidates for the Presidency of the Republic expressed their positions and proposals for the Cyprus issue, economy and internal governance last night, in a cross-channel discussion hosted by RIK.
Ο Nikos Anastasiadis He stressed that a new international conference on the Cyprus issue should be well prepared, but that the intra-Community dialogue could continue as differences remain despite the convergences.
Regarding the proposals he submitted to Crans Montana, President Anastasiadis stated that it was on the condition that nothing is agreed unless everything is agreed and the condition of accepting the provisions of the Greek Cypriot side, which did not happen. He rejected the claim that they remain on the table.
He also said that we did not miss any opportunity in Crans Montana, as the conference failed due to Turkish insistence on guarantees and invasive rights.
Regarding non-performing loans, Nikos Anastasiadis said that the government took measures and provided negotiating tools for borrowers and banks.
He stressed that he is open to solutions but not to debt cuts because the financial system will remain exposed and the citizens will face the situation of 2013.
Regarding energy, Nikos Anastasiadis stated that the government succeeded in involving giants so that there could be unhindered exploitation in the Cyprus EEZ.
Nikolas Papadopoulos
Presidential candidate Nikolas Papadopoulos is asking for the withdrawal of proposals submitted by Dimitris Christofias and Nikos Anastasiadis because, as he said, alas if we claim a solution to the Cyprus problem that will include unacceptable provisions that will lead to a solution that the people will not accept.
Mr. Papadopoulos stated that he will claim what the Greek Cypriots want and not Turkey.
He added, there must be trust in the law of our people but also in the power of the Cypriot Hellenism.
He claimed that President Anastasiadis did not clarify his position whether the proposals he submitted to Crans Montana are invalid or are the framework for a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Mr. Papadopoulos also said that the positions Anastasiadis - Mala are identical. Both, he said, suggest that we continue from where we left off, that is, from the concessions in Crans Montana and next time to discuss concessions in the security chapter.
Regarding the economy, he referred to a delay in the establishment of a Non-performing Loan Management Agency. He warned of the danger of mass sales of real estate by foreign banks.
Stavros Malas
It is true that we are slowly leading to the finalization of the division and this was also mentioned by the Prime Minister of Greece, said Stavros Malas.
He pointed out that we do not have much time to claim the solution.
Mr. Malas wondered why we clash and contradict what we are seeking, either with the new strategies or with ropes.
He added that the Greek Prime Minister said that the opportunity
in Crans Montana must be re-used and that the supplementary document submitted was the golden opportunity to put Turkey before its responsibilities.
Stavros Malas criticized Nikos Anastasiadis for losing a unique one
opportunity in Crans Montana and that we's what happened to us
illuminate in the future.
Regarding the economy, Stavros Malas criticized the decisions of the Government and the Parliament for cutting deposits.
He also argued that the proposals of Nikola Papadopoulos are so costly that they will lead us to bankruptcy.
Stavros Malas also stated that the key word is consistency and criticized his opponents for inconsistency.
George Lillikas
We have met all the Turkish demands and it has been proven that there is no form of a Bi-Zonal Bicommunal Federation that can really reunite Cyprus and ensure the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus, said George Lillikas.
He said that he proposes holding a referendum in order to ask the Cypriot Hellenism what model of solution it wants and to give a popular mandate.
And based on this popular mandate, he added, let us address the international community which must respect it, as the result of the referendum in Britain on Brexit was respected.
George Lillikas argued that the term fair solution to the Cyprus problem has now been abandoned.
Commenting on the financial crisis, he criticized the Anastasiadis Government and the Parliament for the decisions that were taken in 2013 and that, as he said, led to a great humanitarian crisis.
Mr. Lillikas objected that the haircut of interest rates on deposits should be chosen.
Christos Christou
The federation is divided, said Christos Christou, adding that the negotiations have focused on the Cyprus issue as a bi-communal dispute and not a problem of invasion and occupation.
He said that in case of his election, he will seek to redefine the Cyprus issue, taking advantage of relevant Security Council resolutions.
Turkey, added Mr. Christou, shows its real face every day, is more aggressive than ever and is the reason why the Cyprus issue has not been resolved.
He said that the framework of the Greek Cypriot side should be determined, as it is very likely that Turkey will proceed with the selection of two states.
Christos Christou, stated that the only solution is the united state, which will ensure the justice of the people.
As for the economy, he said that industrial investments are needed to create new jobs.
Editor: Konstantinos Tsintas, Costas Konstantinou
Source: RIK News