I am not going to get involved in a public blame game and I am not interested in the communicative management or communicative approach to the Cyprus problem, President of the Republic Nicos Christodoulides said today, noting the importance of the EU for the Turkish Cypriot community as well.
In his statements to journalists after the memorial service of former President Spyros Kyprianou in Limassol, the President of the Republic, asked to comment on the upgrade of the Cypriot economy by Fitch, said that "I consider it a very important development. At the same time, I want to acknowledge the work done by the previous government, because we have to tell things as they are.
And it is on this basis that we will continue our work. Fiscal discipline is essential, a strong and reliable economy is what will allow us to have a targeted social policy. So, it is within this framework that we are also continuing.
And I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the recent decision of the House of Representatives on the issue of divestments, and to welcome the announcement made by the credit institutions. At the same time to say that we are in contact with the EU, with Brussels, so that as soon as possible, hopefully in March, I think it's a feasible target, we will also have the approval on the rent instead of installment plan, so that we can move forward. It is a real problem, which of course we want to address.
The situation as it is at the moment does not solve the problem, we want to give permanent solutions and hopefully, we are working so that within March there will be a concrete solution."
Asked to refer to his upcoming visit to Athens, President Christodoulides said that "as far as the Cyprus problem is concerned, it is positive that there is this mobility, we see it also from the international actor in relation to breaking the deadlock and the resumption of the talks.
The visit to Athens is not only of symbolic importance, i.e. the first visit of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, it is also very important, especially for our efforts in relation to the Cyprus problem, in order to coordinate our actions and how the EU, through a leading role, can help both to restart the talks and to reach a goal, which is the resolution of the Cyprus problem."
Asked about his meeting this afternoon with the Saudi Arabian Minister of Investment, the President of the Republic said that this is a very positive sign, adding that "for years, since 2017, an effort was launched to strengthen our relations with Saudi Arabia. This effort has yielded results, there is interest from this country to invest in our country. A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed.
And in the context of the meeting we will also discuss more specifically the possibility of investments from Saudi Arabia in Cyprus. I have the strong belief that from the countries of our region, because of our political relations, but also because of the role that the Republic of Cyprus plays in the EU for the region, yes, there can be significant investments and in this direction we will work specifically."
Asked to comment on recent statements by the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mr. Ersin Tatar on the EU's involvement in the Cyprus problem, the President of the Republic said that "I did not expect to hear anything different, I want to be absolutely honest."
I am sure that Mr. Tatar recognizes the importance of the EU for the Turkish Cypriot community as well, let me remind you that with the agreement of the Republic of Cyprus there is the financial regulation, there is the regulation on direct trade. Beyond that, I have set two principles that I want to respect during my administration.
The first is that I will not get involved in a public negotiation, as I have said before, the solution to the Cyprus problem will not be found through a public negotiation. We have to be serious about this effort.
And the second, I am not going to engage in a public blame game. I am not interested in communicative management or communicative approach to the Cyprus issue. What I am interested in is the substance and as far as the substance is concerned, we will do everything possible from our side to break the deadlock and resume the talks."
(PM/MG)
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