European Council President hopes for a united Cyprus

He also called on the leaders of both communities “to act in a spirit of compromise to find common ground on the remaining issues” discussed at the UN-led direct talks aiming at reaching a solution of the Cyprus problem.

President of the Republic Demetris Christofias noted that “Turkey’s intransigence is aimed at convincing the international public opinion of the need for implementation of strict timetables and arbitration, if a solution to the Cyprus problem is to be found”.

President said that in the framework of the direct talks with the Turkish Cypriot leader, he has submitted specific, constructive proposals that could give a boost to the process, if Turkey really wants to, stressing the need for putting pressure on Turkey in order to change its stance and allow for progress in the negotiations.

President Christofias and European Council President were speaking to the press after a working breakfast they had on Wednesday at the Presidential Palace, in the capital city of Cyprus, Nicosia.

In his statements, President said they had the opportunity to exchange views on the issues of the economic crisis, the crisis in the region and the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the recent summit of the Heads of States/ Governments of the Eurozone, in Brussels last March, he noted that the Republic of Cyprus “agrees with the strengthening of economic governance, in the framework of the efforts to overcome the economic crisis and to prevent a repetition of its effects”.

“It is necessary though”, he noted, “to take into account the particularities of small member states”, adding that he repeated to the President of the EC “our position in relation to the issue of a common consolidated corporate tax base and specifically the need to respect the comparative competitive advantage of member states”.

I also informed Mr. Van Rompuy of the progress made in cooperation and coordination with our partners in the Trio- Presidency, Poland and Denmark, towards the organization the 18-month presidency of the European Council.

Moreover, he said they had the opportunity to exchange views on the latest developments in North Africa and the Middle East.

“The democratic uprisings have resulted in dramatic changes in our neighbouring countries. Our position remains that the decisions for the future of these peoples should be taken by them through peaceful and democratic means”, he added.
He went on to say that “the reform and transition process is a sovereign issue of these peoples and there should be no foreign intervention. Possible involvement of the Union should be limited to instances where such a request is put forward by the said countries. Should such a request be put forward though, the EU should fully support the process towards democratic reform”.

Until now, he said, “Cyprus has not been affected by the instability in northern Africa. We follow the increasing tension in the Middle East though, with great concern. And that relates to the fact that the countries of the region are traditionally the countries of origin or transit of the majority of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers”.

President said that Cyprus supports the declared position and welcomes the measures adopted at EU level for the support of the Mediterranean EU member states that are affected by the situation in northern Africa.

“We consider that solidarity between member states is essential. We also consider essential the cooperation between the EU and its southern neighbours, as well the advancement of bilateral cooperation between the EU and countries of origin of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants”, he said, adding that “moreover, and equally important, is the need for enhancing the capacity of FRONTEX in order for it to be able to undertake action in the said area”.

President Christofias also said that the Republic of Cyprus “considers that there is a need for better coordination and cooperation between EU member states. We are concerned, specifically, by the adoption of decisions on the European level in a rush and without having cross checked information, regarding the situation on the ground”.

In addition, he expressed the conviction that Mediterranean EU member states, like the Republic of Cyprus, “could pass on messages from the EU to third countries of the region much easier than anyone else. This ease stems from a number of factors, including our geographical proximity, as well as the traditional close and friendly ties with the countries of our region”.

In that respect, he added, “Cyprus could provide an “added value” in the promotion of the EU goals, in relation to the current crises in the southern coast of the Mediterranean”.

“We also consider that it is important for the EU to promote cooperation and coordination with the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the African Union, with a view to dealing with and reducing the impact of the crises in the region,” he noted.
President also briefed the President of the European Council on his recent visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as well as on the government’s policy in relation to the process of exploitation of the natural resources in our Exclusive Economic Zone.

Additionally, he informed President Van Rompuy regarding the latest developments on the Cyprus problem, noting that “Turkey’s intransigence is aimed at convincing the international public opinion of the need for implementation of strict timetables and arbitration, if a solution to the Cyprus problem is to be found”.

“As we have repeatedly underlined though, such a possibility is completely unacceptable. Cypriots have bitter experiences regarding the implementation of strict timetables and arbitration, which they have judged to be completely subjective,” he added.

He went on to say that “we cannot and should not forget that Turkey is continuing its illegal occupation of Cyprus, violating the relevant United Nations Resolutions and at the same time is a candidate country for accession to the EU which has undertaken certain obligations against the Union, including the Republic of Cyprus that it persistently refuses to implement.”

President Christofias stressed that in the framework of the direct talks with the Turkish Cypriot leader, he has submitted specific, constructive proposals that could give a boost to the process, if Turkey really wants to.

Finally, he stressed the need for putting pressure on Turkey in order to change its stance and allow for progress in the negotiations.

On his part, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy said that during their meeting they talked in particular about the recent economic measures approved by the European Council.

He stressed, “Our political commitment is to make sure that our economies are competitive enough to create jobs and to sustain the welfare of our citizens. That is what our work is about”, adding that “the economic package approved on 25 March will help us to recover from the crisis”.

“Of course the problems of some countries are not over yet. But we have the instruments to deal with them. Those problems are the remainders of the past, in which there were no instruments and no political will to tackle the imbalances”, he added.

In addition, he said that they talked in particular about the Euro Plus Pact, “which comes on top of all the other measures in the package to improve Member States' economic performance”, noting that “President Christofias informed me that his Government was already preparing the Reform and Stability Program of Cyprus”.

In preparation for the next European Council on 24 June, Van Rompuy said that they also spoke about challenges in the area of migration, asylum and border management, adding that “the EU is fully aware that the present situation in the Southern Neighbourhood region could add to the migratory pressures which Cyprus already faces”.

“I therefore affirmed to President Christofias that the EU will continue to show solidarity with Cyprus as well as with other Member States directly affected by large scale migratory movements”, as he said.

He said for Cyprus, “the measures already include financial assistance as well as practical support through the activities of FRONTEX and the newly established European Asylum Support Office”.

Moreover, he said that both President Christofias and he agree that “we need to develop new or improved partnerships with the countries in the Southern Mediterranean. Such cooperation should include building capacities in the area of border management and to cooperate in combating irregular migration and trafficking inhuman beings as well as on return and readmission”.

Herman Van Rompuy said that he knows that Cyprus attaches particular importance to the conclusion of an EU level agreement on readmission with Turkey, adding that “this would indeed help to manage migration flows and to combat irregular immigration”.

He assured EU will continue “to push for the swift conclusion and entry into force of
the agreement.

“President Christofias and I are convinced that these initiatives are already paving the way for more modern EU policies in the areas of migration, asylum and border control.
We will both continue our efforts and we will work closely together in the preparation of our next European Council in June”, he said.

He said they also agreed that “while the EU needs to tackle migration and border controls more robustly, we should not forget the positive developments in our Southern
Neighbourhood. The EU will support all steps towards democratic transformation. In the June Council we will further discuss this issue.”

Additionally, he said that President Christofias briefed him on the Cyprus issue, stressing that “the EU continues to fully support the efforts of the leaders of both communities in Cyprus and the UN to achieve a comprehensive settlement as soon as possible”.

“I shared my hope with President Christofias: when Cyprus takes over the rotating Presidency of the Council next year, we would like Cyprus to be a united island”, he noted.

In conclusion, he said that “I encourage the leaders of both communities to act in a spirit of compromise to find common ground on the remaining issues”.