“The deadlock can be broken through a leading EU role, with a personality who will undertake this role,” he noted
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has told CNA that what he will ask the EU is for the engagement of a “political personality” in the efforts for Cyprus reunification. President Christodoulides who is taking part for the first time since assuming his duties at a European Council on Thursday said he would be briefing his counterparts about his approach on the Cyprus problem and how the deadlock can be overcome.
In the meantime, according to CNA sources, President Christodoulides had the opportunity at the first part of the European Council to have a brief discussion with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, while it is not ruled out that another opportunity may present itself for them to have another discussion.
Asked by CNA at his arrival to clarify whether his proposal has to do with a political personality or the participation of a technocrat in the Cyprus problem process, President Christodoulides said that “we are talking about a political personality.”
At present, he added, “the main aim is to break the deadlock.” “The deadlock can be broken through a leading EU role, with a personality who will undertake this role,” he noted.
“If we achieve to have a resumption of talks, certainly the technocratic presence of the EU is a must,” he said, pointing out that this is something the EU itself wants. “It is something which we experienced during the latest negotiating process that it played a decisive role in achieving convergences. Convergences which were to the benefit of the Cypriot people as a whole,” he said.
The President expressed satisfaction over the meetings he has had so far with the leaders of the top EU institutions on Wednesday and added that the effort will continue so that we can see whether his proposal can be implemented after the elections in Turkey.
Asked whether he expects to have new meetings with the heads of the three EU institutions until May 14, when elections will be held in Turkey, President Christodoulides said that “there will certainly be a nearly daily contact whether at my level or at the level of our colleagues in the direction of implementing this proposal.”
In particular, President Christodoulides said that he is looking forward to his participation at the European Council today which has important matters in its agenda “whether this has to do with Ukraine, energy matters, the economy, competitiveness, or migration.”
He explained that following an understanding with the European Council’s President “I will have the opportunity to brief my counterparts about the Cyprus problem, about our new approach, for a more substantial, more leading participation of the EU, in particular at the present stage, where the main aim is to break the deadlock and for talks to resume.”
“I should say that I am satisfied with what I have heard so far during my discussions yesterday with the Presidents of the three institutions,” he noted, adding that on Thursday morning he also had a meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The effort will continue so that after the elections in Turkey we can see whether Nicosia’s request can be implemented, he said.
“The fact that our approach is met with full understanding and is being welcomed is important for me, and what we should now do is to work together, which is what we have agreed on in particular with the Commission President and the European Council President,” he added.
Referring to the participation of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at a working lunch, President Christodoulides said that he is looking forward to “a discussion with him so that I can convey in a more specific manner our position, after the meeting I had with DiCarlo (UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs) in Cyprus.”
During the discussion with the UN Secretary General which has to do with geopolitical developments in general, he said, “I will point out the need for further cooperation between the EU and the UN, and in our case also as regards the Cyprus problem, as is the case today with Ukraine.”
In any case, he continued, our proposal is not that that the EU should replace the UN. Rather, he explained, “that the EU enhances the United Nations offer. Negotiations will take place within UN framework and that should always be the case.”
Replying to a question as to whether he will take part in all EPP meetings, he said that this has been decided for some time now following his election and the communication he has had with EPP leader Manfred Weber.
“It is important that the largest political group, gave me this opportunity today,” he noted, adding that this is a political group which has a European direction, sees the need for further integration, positions that his government shares.
Asked by CNA whether he would be taking part in the EPP as an invitee or a member, he said that his participation is a regular one. “You may recall that even before the elections I said that we had been approached by other groups. I chose to take part in the European People’s Party,” he explained.
Soure: CNA
