Political personalities from EU member states will propose the President of the Republic to the President of the European Council during their upcoming meeting, in relation to further EU involvement in the Cyprus problem, provided that he finds that there is political will on the part of the EU, President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Christodoulides.
In a statement to journalists after his visit to the Limassol General Hospital, the President of the Republic was asked about his conversation yesterday with the President of the European Council, Mr Charles Michel, and asked to refer to Mr Michel's response. Michel's response to his proposal for further EU involvement in the Cyprus problem, President Christodoulides said that "the President of the European Council - it is not right for me to speak for him, but I can tell you that, on the basis of the discussion we had, he is positive about further EU involvement in efforts to break the deadlock and restart the talks.
After all, the Republic of Cyprus is a member state of the EU, it will continue to be a member state of the EU even after a possible solution of the Cyprus problem.
What we have agreed is that I will go to Brussels before the set date of the European Council - the European Council is on 23 March, I will go the day before - to have a meeting with Mr Michel to discuss in more detail our approach, as well as with the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Parliament.
So, there will be a concrete discussion, we have some ideas, I had the opportunity yesterday to give some examples of how the EU can help to break the deadlock and that is what we will do.
I know the Cyprus problem quite well, it is not easy, it is certainly difficult, but we cannot stop the efforts or hide behind Turkish intransigence.
The current situation cannot be the solution to the Cyprus problem and from our side we will do everything possible to break the deadlock and resume the talks."
Asked if he would propose names to Mr Michel, the President said "yes, I have in mind specific names, some of which I have discussed with myself and in the discussion with Mr Michel, I have discussed with him.
Asked if these people come from EU member states, the President of the Republic said "yes, they come from EU member states".
Regarding the arrival of Ms Di Carlo, the President of the Republic said that "I look forward to the meeting with Ms Di Carlo, I think it is positive that she is coming to Cyprus especially before the European Council.
Then she will also go to Brussels to accompany the UN Secretary General who will be there. Our effort within the EU is always within the framework of the UN, I want to make that clear, so that there is no doubt about this particular issue.
It will be my first meeting (with Mr Michel), I will convey how we see the EU engagement working in a reinforcing way towards the UN wanting the talks to resume. I will have a meeting before the meeting with Ms Di Carlo, a meeting, already set, with Mr Stewart precisely to discuss these issues."
Asked if optimism is allowed, the President said that "what is allowed is a struggle, an effort to create optimism."
Asked if optimism is allowed, the President said that "what is allowed is a struggle, an effort to create optimism.
(PM/NG/SX)
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