Demetriou calls for regular National Council meetings (Updated)

House President Annita Demetriou on Wednesday called for the National Council to be convened “at regular intervals”.

She said the reason behind her call was that “the Cyprus problem does not only concern the government, but the political leadership collectively.”

“The government’s alternative proposal, that political leaders communicate with the president by telephone to be informed about current developments, [is] inappropriate,” she said.

“For such serious issues, political leaders and institutions cannot be informed by the mass media.”

She said the National Council “is the body in which there can be correct and timely information, an exchange of opinions and assessments, as well as the collective handling of issues concerning [the Cyprus problem].”

Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis responded later in the day, saying President Nikos Christodoulides “convenes the National Council whenever the conditions are such that a meeting is justified”.

He added that the National Council has already been convened four times since Christodoulides became president, and that on those occasions, “political leaders received thorough and detailed information.”

“When developments and facts are different from how they were at the last National Council, [Christodoulides] will call an immediate and timely meeting,” he added.

Disy hit back once again as the spat continued, saying “we clearly have different definitions of what collectivism means.” In a statement, the party said the Cyprus problem is not a matter for the government alone but requires collective handling.

“The role of the National Council cannot be limited to providing information ‘when developments and facts become different’.”

The National Council consists of leaders of the main political parties as well as former presidents, and was last convened following the United Nations’ General Assembly meeting in September.