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President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Christodoulides, who is in Brussels for the EU-Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-CELAC) Summit, which is taking place on 17 and 18 July, made statements to the media on his arrival at the Council building.
In his introductory statement, the President of the Republic said the following. I would like to express my satisfaction with what I have heard. I note Turkey's interest in strengthening Euro-Turkish relations, which is something we support. It is something that is part of the broader framework of our proposal, our approach.
I was pleased to hear that this strengthening of relations is being accompanied by substantial developments on the Cyprus problem, and I believe that the next period will determine whether these statements, the expression of interest, will be accompanied by concrete steps, which, I repeat, are directly related to the Cyprus problem. I have, I want to say, a cautious optimism about developments. The processes at diplomatic level are continuing - they will continue during the summer and will culminate in New York, and depending on the outcome in New York, we will possibly, and hopefully, see positive developments at the European Council in October as well. It will all depend on actions, not just on intentions. I repeat, intentions are very important. I welcome them, I support them, I support them and I am here to work now on concrete developments concerning the resumption of the Cyprus settlement talks, with an enhanced role for the European Union, taking also into account Turkey's interest to come closer to the European Union.
Next week I will have the pleasure to welcome in Cyprus the Greek Prime Minister, I will also welcome the Prime Minister of Israel. There will be bilateral meetings and also a trilateral meeting. In particular, with the Greek Prime Minister we will define the strategy for the next concrete steps to achieve this goal. I would like to say that today and yesterday, in the margins of my meetings, specific references were also made to EU-Turkey relations through specific developments relating to Euro-Turkish relations, to the broader framework of Euro-Turkish relations, but also to the issue of the more active involvement of the European Union through the appointment of a personality. There was a specific exchange of views. I am sure that it will continue today."
Asked by a journalist about the Turkish President's positions on the Cyprus problem, apart from the Euro-Turkish issues, based on indications from his contacts at the NATO Summit, the President of the Republic replied. We will see all this in practice and I sincerely believe, I hope, that there will be such concrete developments. There is a lot that we will see in the coming period and it will show in practice how much they mean all this."
Asked about his meetings with the Turkish Cypriot community, the President of the Republic noted: "I spoke with civil society. I spoke with Turkish Cypriot compatriots who truly believe in reunification on the basis of the agreed framework. I listened to their concerns, I listened to their worries and yes, we are preparing proposals which we will make public very soon. At the same time, I had also sent a letter to Mr Tatar in relation to our joint visit to the anthropological laboratory on the issue of the missing persons, a purely humanitarian issue. I was informed last night of, initially, a positive reaction. In fact, a specific date, at the end of July, to visit together was discussed and the preparation of a joint communiqué to follow our visits there is starting today. I hope that we will come up with this joint communiqué. I do not see that there are any difficulties in making that visit. It will send a positive message and it is something that, I repeat, despite the difficulties and problems, I am here with seriousness, with realism to work for a solution to the Cyprus problem. An objective which I believe is achievable on the basis of our approach, to create a mutually beneficial state of affairs for all parties involved, and that is why I insist on the more active involvement of the European Union, something for which I see a positive response. Thank you very much."
(PM/AF/EXP)
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