The need for EU representation in the informal conference on the Cyprus issue was agreed by the President of the Republic Nikos Anastasiadis and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, in a telephone conversation that took place on Saturday afternoon.
According to a written statement by Government Spokesman Kyriakos I. Kousiou, the President of the Republic had a long telephone conversation with the President of the European Commission during which they exchanged views on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, on the occasion of the UN Secretary General's decision to convene an informal conference on Cyprus, with the aim of resuming substantive talks from where they remained in Crans Montana and with the aim of resolving the Cyprus issue on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions and EU principles and values.
President Anastasiadis and Ms. von der Leyen, “agreed on the need for EU representation in this conference, but also its substantial involvement in the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem, taking into account, among other things, the fact that the Republic of Cyprus is a state “It will continue to be a member of the EU even after a possible solution to the Cyprus problem, while noting the need for Cyprus to continue to be a functioning and credible EU member state.”
According to the JC statement, President Anastasiadis and Ms. von Layen also exchanged views on the forthcoming European Council in March, during which EU-Turkey relations are expected to be discussed. “The President expressed the need for Turkey, through concrete actions, to demonstrate in practice its publicly expressed position for the strengthening of Euro-Turkish relations, which will not go beyond the framework of international and European legitimacy, while at the same time will have consistency and duration.” , it is noted.
Finally, Mr. Cousios states that the President of the Republic and Ms. von der Leyen exchanged views on the current situation in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. The President thanked “the role and support provided by the European Commission, and in particular its President and Commissioner for Health Stella Kyriakidou, in the efforts made by the Member States to address both the pandemic and the achieving the goal of vaccinating European citizens “, the written statement concludes.
