Those who talk about two states in Cyprus have not asked the EU, says in an interview with “Kathimerini” the Vice President of the European Commission Margaritis Schoinas.
He also talks about the contacts he had with Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulidis and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Tsavousoglou, which, as he said, show that the informal five-party meeting will focus on possible solutions. At the same time, he did not rule out a stronger EU presence to ensure that any solution is in line with the acquis communautaire, but noted that it is still too early for this debate.
He also noted that the current situation after the tensions of last year is favorable for a new beginning starting from the 5 + 1 meeting in the USA. The key issue for the EU, he added, is for the reunited Republic of Cyprus to be an EU and Eurozone member state from the very beginning.
As he characteristically said, it must operate with “European software”, especially in the areas of governmental and political action where there is Community legislation and competence. This, he added, is a one-way street and Europe will insist and get involved in this, in order to avoid any arrangements that would run counter to this basic principle. He also said that he met with both Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Tsavousoglou and Nikos Christodoulidis and noted that the dynamics are evolving positively.
Mr Schoinas also said that Europe must be the absolute criterion within which a possible solution would fit.
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