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- Ελληνικά
AKEL seems to adopt Mr Stewart's approach, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said tonight, in relation to the issue of the 28 irregular migrants in the buffer zone.
Speaking to reporters, while attending an Invest Cyprus event, and asked to comment on AKEL's criticisms of the government in relation to its attitude towards the Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General (UNSG) in Cyprus, Colin Stewart, and that we should persuade and not confront, the President of the Republic said: "I am not playing with hidden cards, I am playing with exposed cards. And I had said that I mentioned this particular issue to Mr Stewart [DURING OUR RECENT MEETING] following the statements of the [PEACEKEEPING FORCE] spokesman.
If AKEL agrees that the Republic of Cyprus is not handling the migration issue properly, it can come out in public and say so. We will respond. We may disagree. I do not agree with Mr Stewart's approach, which seems to be adopted by AKEL, that the Republic of Cyprus is not taking a humanitarian approach to this issue. We have a different view from both Mr Stewart and AKEL. It is not a conflict to be able to express your views, particularly when you know that your views are correct. So, if AKEL agrees with Mr Stewart and wants to criticise me, I am very happy to do so, we live in a democratic country."
Asked to comment on the content of the letter of the Deputy Chief of the National Guard, the President of the Republic said: "I want to say one thing about the National Guard. We do not speak publicly and, in particular, I do not come from the ranks of the army, but I believe that an officer of the National Guard, any officer, from the youngest to the most senior officer, [HIS] public statements do not help and this is not only true in Cyprus, it is true in all countries. So, I will not proceed to comment on these reports."
Asked if he is concerned about reports in relation to ENI that it will sell its rights to explore and exploit hydrocarbons in the Cypriot EEZ, the President said: "We have spoken to ENI, there is absolutely no intention in relation to the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus."
(PM/MS)
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