It is important to remain committed to the continuation of dialogue, Anastasiades says
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has said that it is of utmost importance for all sides to remain committed to the continuation of the dialogue on the Cyprus problem, safeguard and respect the convergences reached, and abandon any pretexts, or untenable demands and preconditions that do not, in any way or form, serve the interests either of the Turkish Cypriots, or the Greek Cypriots.
He also said once again that Turkey is expected to finally deliver on its verbal commitments, and to contribute tangibly to the process for a Cyprus settlement.
In statements to the press at the Presidential Palace on Monday evening, after a meeting he had with the Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas who is paying an official visit to Cyprus, in view of the upcoming Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the President said his visit coincides with a critical juncture in the negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
“I informed (him) on the progress achieved during the past two years, as well as the pending issues that persist on significant issues. I also briefed the Prime Minister on the challenges that we need to overcome in order to move the process forward in a results-oriented manner, bearing in mind the critical juncture in the negotiations, and the fact that the extensive and exhaustive negotiations on the internal aspects of the problem during these past months, which have not yielded any positive results”, he added.
The President also said that he briefed the Estonian Premier about the proposal he recently put forward, in the framework of his UN-led negotiations with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.
President Anastasiades said that these are very challenging times for Europe and its citizens, and he reassured the Estonian Prime Minister that Cyprus will stand by the Estonian Presidency, “supporting you in every way it can.”
“I assured the Prime Minister of our unwavering support to the Presidency in taking its agenda forward and accomplishing a Europe that is inclusive, sustainable and innovative; a Europe that responds to the concerns and aspirations of our citizens“, he said.
The President said that they also had a fruitful exchange of views on Brexit, in view of the start of the negotiations next month, whereby they underlined the importance of unity among the 27 member states of the European Union.
On the bilateral relations, the President said that they expressed their readiness to explore new areas of cooperation. “Cyprus looks to Estonia’s achievements in e-government and digital technology, and, following the relevant Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2016, we are confident that we will further enhance our cooperation in this field, along with further exploring the untapped potential in the business, trade, and tourism fields“, he said.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Prime Minister Ratas said that «Estonia supports finding a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem based on the relevant resolutions of the UN. The two communities are the owners of this process.»
Ratas said that he briefed President Anastasiades about the priorities of the Estonian Presidency and the fact that Estonia wants to implement joint decisions concerning the future of the EU and its unity. The Prime Minister of Estonia also said that bilateral ties are good and that the two countries enjoy good relations especially in the fields of e-government. He also noted that the challenges are often similar for small countries .
Ratas said that the EU is faced with many challenges and collective effort is needed to overcome them and make Europe a better, more prosperus and safer place.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN backed talks have been underway since May 2015 aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof.
CNA – CYPRUS/Nicosia 29/05/2017 21:12