The President's appointments with Holguin and trip to Lebanon were closed

< p>On his arrival at the European Council meeting in Brussels, President Christodoulidis said:

“I consider today's council particularly important, especially with regard to the issues of the European Union's external relations.

There will finally be a strategic discussion on the EU's relations with Turkey. It was something we had been pursuing for a long time. The timing is important, taking into account the effort of the Secretary General of the United Nations to restart the talks. The Cyprus issue is linked to the progress of Euro-Turkish relations and I hope that through the discussion there will be the positive mood on the part of the EU, including our own good mood, the development of which will depend solely on the progress in the Cyprus issue.

I am glad that there is a specific reference to the Cyprus issue in the draft and the resumption of talks. After the appointment of the personal envoy there is mobility. He will visit a number of European countries. He will be in Brussels and Cyprus and we are in contact. I have already arranged two meetings with Ms. Holgin.

From there it is on to the Middle East. I want to express the hope that there will be no further deterioration of the situation which affects not only the neighboring states and the Republic of Cyprus but the whole of the EU. It is a region adjacent to the EU and within this context we will also discuss the issue of of Lebanon and the need to support it.

The President of the European Commission has just informed me that we will visit Lebanon together on May 2. I have also been in contact with the prime minister of the country so that we can show the practical support of the EU in the effort being made with Lebanon.

Within the context of the discussion of the situation in the Middle East, we must let's also touch on immigration. It is something that, as the Republic of Cyprus, together with other member states, we have already agreed. We will raise the issue of re-evaluating certain areas as safe areas within Syria.”