Berlin has responded positively towards Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades’ proposal for the European Union to undertake an initiative so that talks resume aiming to reunite the divided island.
Anastasiades who is on a working visit to Germany had meetings with the country’s political leadership on Wednesday.
Philenews reports that insiders said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz gave thumbs up on the proposal.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 following an invasion by Turkey which still maintains troops in the breakaway northern part.
Repeated rounds of UN-brokered peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations ended inconclusively in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana.
In statements in Berlin, Anastasiades said: “We are activating not only the United Nations but also the EU so that Turkey changes its position. Turkey’s aspirations to join the EU – if still maintained – should be taken into account.”
He added: “We have received understanding as regards the need to find a peaceful solution through a peaceful dialogue on the basis of UN resolutions and on the European acquis”.
