President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, said now is the time to solve the Cyprus and urged President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, together with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat to continue their efforts for the reunification of the island.
In statements after talks at the Presidential Palace, Barroso also said the Commission and he personally support the efforts of the two leaders in every way possible but urged them to find a solution themselves.
In his remarks, President Christofias thanked Barroso for his support and assured him he will do everything possible to reunite the island and rid the island of the tragedy of division and occupation.
Barroso thanked Christofias for the support he has offered him at the European Council for his re-election, noting that he was honoured to chair the Commission “which is a point of reference, a point of union between all the 27 member states” where they practice the idea of solidarity.
He described his meeting with Christofias as “excellent”. «I was impressed very much by Mr. Christofias’ sincere commitment and determination to find a solution to the Cyprus problem together with Mr. Talat”, he remarked.
“There is a historic chance now to end this conflict once and for all. So please keep your efforts Mr. President. The time is now. Do not allow a situation where the younger generation will simply accept the status quo. The European Commission and I personally support very much the efforts of the leaders in every way we can. We cannot make the deal. That’s the point people have to understand. We can help find a solution, we can support find a solution, but it is up to Cypriots themselves to find this solution,” Barroso.
The European Commission President said “reunification will allow all Cypriots to benefit from Cyprus’ membership in the EU. That is the message that I am bringing here today”, one of confidence in the future of this country”. At the same time, he said, “our support to find a solution for the Cyprus problem…and our confidence that together with determination and energy this is possible”.
President Christofias welcomed Barroso to Cyprus, noting that the Commission leader embraced the Cyprus issue from the very start as well as the island’s creative participation in European matters.
“Personally, I have promised him I will do everything possible together with Mr. Talat to rid Cyprus of this tragedy and to rid also the EU of this problem. And this is what I am trying to do, I have repeated this assurance at the very cordial talk we had during our tete-a-tete meeting and during the talks of our delegations”, he added.
These are the reasons, he added, that he has supported Barroso’s re-election as President of the Commission.
Cyprus President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat have been engaged in negotiations aiming to solve the problem of Cyprus, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.
