Cyprus government to veto parliament on Partnership for Peace

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias will veto a decision by the House of Representatives requesting membership in NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP).
Government spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said that the House decision requesting membership in the PfP is an act that violates the Constitution and the separation of powers, adding that “the PfP is neither an international organization nor a treaty of alliance, for the House of Representatives to invoke Article 50.1.A of the Constitution.” He said that the Partnership for Peace is a programme of NATO.
The communist-led coalition government is facing a fragile partnership of its own after the centre-right Democratic Party joined the opposition Democratic Rally, that is allied with the European Popular Party, as well as the socialist EDEK party and the European Party (Evroko), in a majority parliamentary decision to apply for PfP membership.
The joint decision claims that PfP membership, although subject to approval from NATO member Turkey, could pave the way for further involvement in international organisations, regardless of ideology.
The spokesman said that equal participation of Cyprus in the mechanisms of Defense and Security of the European Union is granted and that the interests of the Republic are best served by the defense and preservation of its constitutional status.