President Christodoulides stated on Tuesday that he exchanged thoughts with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier on how his country can effectively assist towards restarting the negotiations.
Attending a morning event marking the 75th anniversary of the closure of the British internment camp for Jews in Cyprus, at the current camp “Vasileos Kapota” in Nicosia, when asked, President Christodoulides said it was a particularly significant presence and a historic visit of the German President to Cyprus.
He described the discussion as excellent, both at the delegation level and during their private meeting, which will continue today over lunch, he added.
“Specifically, discussions focus on three issues. The first concerns the Cyprus issue, and how Germany can help substantially, not just through statements, and in this direction, we exchanged some views, which, as you understand, cannot be disclosed. We are clearly interested in the outcome,” he said.
The President said the second issue on the agenda is developments in the region and humanitarian aid in Gaza, with the EU and Germany, as one of the strong member states, contributing. The third was the future of the EU, in light of the elections for new members of the institutions and the US elections.
“As the international environment is constantly changing, as the EU, we should strive to play a leading role in all these, and we exchanged some specific views. This dialogue will continue; the German President, being the former Foreign Minister of Germany, is very familiar with international issues, and I repeat our discussion will continue today,” he said.
Asked about the meeting on Monday between the Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President Christodoulides said it is important that the Greek Government not only supports efforts to restart the negotiations but also plays a leading role, which we welcome, always in full coordination between Athens and Nicosia, and our effort continues.
“We expect, as I said, in the second fortnight of March, the personal envoy of the Secretary-General to visit Cyprus, and we hope that conditions will be created in the direction I have previously mentioned, there is one choice, restarting the negotiations on the basis of the agreed framework, leveraging the negotiating acquis, there is constant communication with the Greek Government, and we are in coordination before and after the meeting,” he said.
On another question about a report in the British Daily Express about turning Varosha into Las Vegas with huge investments and information that a hotel belongs to Prince Charles, the President said the issue requires diplomatic handling.
“We monitor all publications, many times we have seen similar reports in the past, our diplomatic mission, the High Commission in London, is investigating the matter, and everything that needs to be done through diplomatic channels, rest assured it is being done,” he said.
