Barroso congratulates newly elected President of Cyprus

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso on Monday congratulated Demetris Christofias, after his victory in the second round of the Presidential elections in Cyprus.

President Barroso said: “On behalf of the European Commission and myself, I would like to congratulate you on your election as President of the Republic of Cyprus. I very much appreciated our meeting at the Commission headquarters, the Berlaymont, on 5 December 2007. On this occasion, you conveyed your conviction in the project of European integration, and your determination to work for a solution for the Cyprus problem.

I am confident that under your leadership Cyprus, as a new eurozone member, will further enhance its contribution to the European Union’s priorities and the successful achievement of its ambitious goals for the coming future.

Your election offers the opportunity to overcome the longstanding stalemate on the Cyprus issue. I would strongly encourage you to grasp this chance and without delay start negotiations under United Nations auspices with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community on a comprehensive settlement. As President of the European Commission, I will strongly support your joint efforts.

I wish you every success in your new responsibility as Head of State.”

The Commission would also like to underline the role played by the outgoing President Papadopoulos in the preparation of Cyprus for its successful adoption of the euro.