Closing of the deliberations of the AKEL Statutory Congress by the General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL The Statutory Congress has now passed into the history of the Party. It will go down as a milestone, a landmark and a springboard for the next century of AKEL’s life and action.
I feel confident that all of us will devote all our energy into the work, united and determined to make changes come to life and become a reality. To make the Party better, more effective. Cyprus needs the Left and AKEL, a strong, big and leading AKEL. And that is precisely what we will do. AKEL again first in the front line of the action, in struggles, in society and in the movements. In parliament, in local government and in the European Parliament. Everywhere and always. And now and always.
I feel the need to thank all of you for being part of the culmination of the process of statutory changes today. It is healthy and democratic to have different views in our debates, because it demonstrates everyone’s interest in our Party. I would be concerned if there weren’t any different views, a plurality of ideas and different perspectives when we discuss our home and how to make it better. And the fact that we “discuss quietly and simply, and understand each other” is also part of how we want the Party to be and function. To function democratically, collectively and comradely.
Comrades,
We are and will continue to be a Party of principles, values and ideals. With an ideology and vision for a Cyprus, for a society, for a fundamentally just, humane and peaceful world. The world of socialism. By improving our Party today, we pave the way for tomorrow.
We are a force with the People, for the People. AKEL exists to serve the people, it draws its strength from them and is accountable to them. It is based on its links with the working people and society, at the workplace and centres of education, in the neighbourhood and districts, in the movements and struggles. AKEL’s oxygen is its daily contact with the people.
We are a force of assertion for the many. With assertions, with actions that express the overwhelming majority of society, all those who – within the system we live in – demand and need defending: the working class and the people of labour more broadly, the self-employed, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, the farmers, the young generation, the socially vulnerable groups of the population.
We are the great force that embraces the Cypriot Left, but also the whole progressive and democratic people of Cyprus, all the people who have been and remain on the right side of History.
We are the yeast and the leaven for the progressive majority that wants to change Cyprus, to take it forward. To reverse the course towards partition, the international humiliation of the country and the rise of the far right.
As we have done throughout our decades-long journey, we will continue to forge and build alliances and cooperation with other forces on the basis of principles and objectives that serve the people.
Today, from this platform, we call on every democratic and progressive voice to join us in the critical battles in the coming years.
We are the progressive force of Cyprus. The strength of the entire Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins.
A force of struggle against the occupation, partition and nationalism, militarization.
A force for a united and free Cyprus, for a Cyprus as a bridge of peace and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean neighbourhood.
We are the force that can stand before the people and say “ONE CENTURY – full of sacrifice and struggle”.
We have deep roots, steeped in blood and sweat. That have withstood every attack and test, against all kinds of enemies.
We have the momentum of our history.
We draw strength from it and charge into the future.
Forward then – Looking to the future, united and determined.
Together as one!
For the people and the country.
Long live the Progressive Party of the Working People, AKEL!
Long live Cyprus!
Closing of the deliberations of the AKEL in Cyprus Statutory Congress by the General Secretary
