Swedish PM invites Cyprus President to visit Sweden

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has extended an invitation to Cyprus President Demetris Christofias to visit Sweden.

In statements to the press after a meeting with President Christofias, Ambassador of Sweden to Cyprus Igmar Lindahl said he conveyed Christofias the invitation by the Swedish Prime Minister, noting that he also expressed his country’s support for the future efforts Christofias will make on the Cyprus issue.

“I had a very good meeting with the new President of Cyprus Mr. Christofias and I wanted also to express my best wishes to him,” Lindahl said.

Asked how Sweden will contribute to efforts for a Cyprus settlement, the Ambassador said “the Cyprus problem is first of all a problem for the Cypriots,” adding that “we are hoping that the matter will be brought forward at the meeting of the two leaders (of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities) and Sweden like the other European countries, would like to support efforts in any way we can.”

On bilateral relations, Lindahl said “our relations are excellent, which is also shown by the fact that our Prime Minister would very much like to see Mr. Christofias in Sweden to continue our good relations so far.”

On the timing of Christofias’ visit to Sweden, he said that newly-elected President Christofias has lots of things to do “and when it’s convenient for his schedule we hope to see him in Stockholm.”

President Christofias, representing the Greek Cypriot community, and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mehmet Ali Talat are expected to meet in late March, in a bid to help resume negotiations leading to a solution that would reunite the country, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.