President Nicos Christodoulides will soon travel to EU countries to discuss his proposal for a more active involvement of the EU in efforts to break the deadlock and resume talks on the Cyprus problem, he said tonight.
In his remarks to journalists in Hulu, where he attended an event and asked if there is any news in relation to the appointment of a UN Secretary General envoy on the Cyprus problem, the President of the Republic said: "I am continuing efforts both towards the United Nations and the European Union.
I have repeatedly mentioned the importance of more active engagement on the part of the EU. Some trips abroad will be announced soon, with the main focus of discussion on how we go about achieving that goal, having as an effort where it will end up - and hopefully have an effect - (after) the elections in Turkey."
But some trips to EU member states will also be announced in the very near future, precisely for this purpose."
Asked if the messages he received from his contacts on this issue were encouraging, the President said: "It is positive, yes, that on the EU side they see this need, they see the readiness of our side. Of course, this does not satisfy us, we will continue until the last moment, so that data can be created that will allow the resumption of the talks."
I have said many times, I will not tire of saying it, that we will do everything possible from our side. There are some facts in the current context that we believe that, yes, they favour the resumption of the talks and the presence of the EU in breaking the deadlock, the involvement of the EU, we believe will be a catalyst."
Asked if there is any news from the UN, the President said that "we are in contact with the UN, everybody, you understand, is waiting for the elections in Turkey."
Asked to comment on the Guardian report on the issue of sanctions, President Christodoulides said: "I think the best answer is the statements themselves on the part of the US government. We have been in contact from the very first moment, we have asked for specific information. Our political will is clear, that we will not allow such phenomena, i.e. phenomena that go beyond the framework of the sanctions that have been decided in particular by the EU, in which the Republic of Cyprus participated.
We are in contact with the American Government, this contact will continue and in the next few days I will have a meeting, also following the meeting we had on Thursday, with the Legal Service, but also with the Ministry of Finance, precisely to do what needs to be done.
Under no circumstances should we allow or enable anyone to tarnish the name of our country. It is an effort that from our side there is a clear political will so that there is no shadow of any kind on this issue."
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