“In a united Europe, the reunification of Cyprus is a key issue,” said European Council President António Costa, who was received on Friday morning by President of the Republic Nicos Christodoulides, at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. “The Cyprus issue is a European issue,” noted President Christodoulides, who also referred to the discussions he will have with Mr. Costa regarding the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). He also congratulated him on his initiative to visit all member states.
Mr. Costa arrived at the Presidential Palace at 9:10 a.m., followed by a private meeting with President Christodoulides. Speaking at the start of the meeting, President Christodoulides praised President Costa for his initiative, in light of the very important discussions at the upcoming European Council, to visit all member states “to hear our concerns and exchange views, with the aim of finding a compromise, which is the key word in the European Union.”
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President Christodoulides said he looks forward to discussions with Mr. Costa, noting that “the MFF is the most important issue, and we must make every possible effort to reach a political agreement by the end of 2026. We have no other choice.”
He added that the meeting would also cover “Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, enlargement, competitiveness, defense, and security.”
Referring to the Cyprus issue, President Christodoulides thanked the President of the European Council for his personal interest.
“We will discuss the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to resume negotiations and resolve the Cyprus issue on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions and, of course, the law, values, and principles of the European Union,” he said.
“The Cyprus issue is a European issue, and the European Union can play a decisive role in the reunification of our country,” he emphasized.
“I am aware of your personal interest. I know that you are in contact with the UN Secretary-General, and I look forward to our discussions. Once again, welcome,” President Christodoulides concluded.
For his part, European Council President António Costa congratulated President Christodoulides on Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the EU and on the efforts he made during the first half of the.
“First of all, congratulations on your Presidency and on your efforts in leading the European Union during the first half of this year,” he said.
Mr. Costa noted that “we have very difficult decisions to make in the coming months,” adding that “perhaps the most important is the next multiannual financial framework for the period 2028–2034.”
Referring to his visits to the capitals of the member states, he said that “The visits I make every year to all the capitals are focusing more this year on preparing for the Summit.”
“It is clear to me that the European institutions must be close to the citizens and the member states. We must work closely together, because only together can we succeed, and our strength lies in our unity,” he emphasized.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, Mr. Costa said that “in a united Europe, the reunification of Cyprus is a key issue.”
“We are committed to international law, cooperation, and the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to find a good solution to the Cyprus issue, and you can always count on the support of the European Union,” he concluded.
It should be noted that expanded talks will follow, and at 10:35 the two Presidents will make statements to the media.
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Source: CNA
