Nicosia, Cyprus. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis on Monday rejected opposition party Akel’s criticism of Cyprus’ participation as an observer in US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace meeting, saying it was ideologically driven and disconnected from reality.
Government response to Akel
In a post on X, Letymbiotis said the country’s foreign policy was exercised through “institutional continuity, sobriety and an active presence where developments are taking shape that directly affect our region,” not through slogans or opposition reflexes.
He described the meeting as having an “informative and coordinating” character and said Cyprus attended with a “clear institutional role” and the goal of stability and peace in the region.
Letymbiotis said that ignoring the meeting’s nature was a conscious choice to support a predetermined narrative, adding that it was contradictory for those advocating Cyprus’ absence from international processes to invoke international law.
He said defining Cyprus’ position and putting forward relevant proposals strengthened the country’s credibility and established it as a reliable partner in the region, adding that “the policy of the empty chair has never protected any national issue.”
Letymbiotis said Cyprus was not coerced into participating by external entities and that the decision was made autonomously and deliberately. He added that “responsible diplomacy is not a gamble,” and said it was a gamble to turn international initiatives into domestic political exploitation.
He concluded by condemning what he called Akel’s “dogmatic ideological ankylosis,” describing it as a counterproductive regression.
Akel’s earlier criticism
Akel on Sunday had expressed sharp criticism over Cyprus’ planned participation in the meeting.
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