[PIO] Statements by the President of the Republic

The President of the Republic Mr.Nicos Christodoulides referred today to the European elections, the Cyprus problem and the migration issue.

In his statements to journalists, while attending the working lunch with Ambassadors of the European Union (EU) member states, hosted by the Ambassador of Belgium, and asked what he expects from the European elections, the President of the Republic said: "I have stated many times that our accession to the EU has been the most important success since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. The EU affects our daily life. As a State we claim, and I am glad that it is recognised, a substantial voice and role in the EU, while at the same time we claim, and there is a response, a leading role for the EU in the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.

If I can send a message to the Cypriot people on the occasion of Sunday's elections for members of the European Parliament, it is this: the most massive participation possible on the part of the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus will send a strong message, among many others, to Brussels about the importance of Europe. Therefore, I call on all compatriots to participate en masse in this very important electoral process. An electoral process where the next five years will be very, very crucial for the future of the EU.

We want a stronger Europe, more competitive, strategically autonomous and this is what we will be concerned with in the next five years.

Beyond that, a European Council has already been convened on 17 June to have a first exchange of views. Before that, there will be the meeting of the European People's Party. We have already requested telephone contacts, and I will have both the President of the European Council, Mr Michel, and Mr Weber from the European People's Party, to make a first coordination, and then after the extraordinary European Council on the 17th there will be a second one, on the 26th or 27th, so that decisions can be taken in relation to the heads of the EU institutions. In the first phase, of course, we are talking with the President of the Commission."

In response to a journalist's remark that there will be some movement in New York on the Cyprus issue and that the United Nations (UN) Secretary General (UNSG) will also meet with the Foreign Minister of Greece and asked if he will convey a message from Nicosia, the President of the Republic said: "In relation to the Greek Government and the Greek Foreign Minister going there, we are in coordination, very specific messages will be conveyed. There is nothing hidden. We are saying publicly about the need to start a discussion to see if there are prospects for resuming talks."

Beyond that, as I have been informed from New York just a moment ago, Ms. Holguin will meet with the SG this week to brief him. From what I have been informed, I repeat in the first instance verbally, based on the discussion we will see what the next steps are. So yes, it is an important week which hopefully will lead to positive developments. We are ready from our side."

Asked to comment on reports that the President of Ukraine owns a casino in the occupied territories, the President said: "So far, the relevant services of the Republic of Cyprus have investigated the matter. I repeat, so far no such thing has emerged. When the investigation is completed, in cooperation with other countries, with other Services, we will be able to say more, but at the moment I can tell you, until five minutes before I came here, I have been informed that no such thing is emerging. We will see then."

Asked about illegal migrants in the buffer zone, the President said: "What I can say is that the Republic of Cyprus, and we have conveyed our readiness to the UN, if any need for humanitarian assistance arises, we are ready to provide it."

In fact, on our own initiative, let me tell you that the Red Cross is already helping, providing humanitarian assistance to the people who are there."

At the same time, it is also the regulation of the Green Line and the obligations of the Republic of Cyprus. And, secondly, there is not going to be a new route of descent for illegal immigrants. We saw yesterday, and it is something that I will mention to the Ambassadors in the discussion that we will have, that they came from Afghanistan to Turkey and from Turkey to the occupied territories. You understand that Turkey is responsible for people coming from Syria, but also from other countries."

Asked about the case of the Finance Ministry's servers and that based on the findings there are no guilty parties, the President of the Republic said that "it has been sent to the Parliament since April, the Deputy Minister has been appointed, I have nothing else to tell you."

(PM/EP/MS)
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