The status quo in Cyprus is not sustainable, European Parliament President Martin Schulz has said.
In an interview with CNA and replying to a question as to the chances a fresh effort to reunite the island, divided in 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third, has of succeeding, Schulz expresses the point of view that “the negotiations should start immediately because a solution has to be found”.
“Both sides can`t turn their back to this occasion and have to take a clear and constructive stand”, he adds.
At the same time he calls on both parties “to keep an open mind and not use the past as a limit”.
“Every measure, even one that appears narrow and limited, is a step that can help to build confidence between the two sides”, he notes, adding that “patience and determination are the keys”.
“The status quo, although appealing, is not sustainable especially in the economic crisis context”, he points out.
At the same time, replying to a question as to what he believes the EU’s role in finding a solution is, he says that “we know that the solution will come from the two communities, but we cannot deny that we are at a critical junction, with huge tensions”.
“The two parties should make sure to keep a long-term vision, and the European Union can help them to do so”, Shultz continues.
The EP President further points out that “the current context between EU and Turkey creates a positive momentum for negotiation”.
In the past, he says “the Cyprus issue has been used as a stumbling block in the negotiations with Turkey”, expressing the point of view that “treating the two issues separately can be beneficial to the finding solutions in the two areas”.
Asked what he would tell European citizens thinking of abstaining in the forthcoming European elections Schulz acknowledges that “times have been and still are hard for many European citizens”.
“Good and bad decisions have been taken by heads of States, international and European institutions”, he says, noting however that “the worst has been averted and the Union is slowly emerging from the crisis”.
“Now, the European elections give a voice to the citizens”, he says, posing the questions: “are you satisfied with the decisions taken? Do you want a change in how Europe is run?”
“It is my belief that the new treaty provision regarding the election of the Commission`s president enables us to have a real competition between persons, ideas and programs”, Schulz points out, adding that “it will be a vote for the EU you want and not a yes or a no to the European Parliament”.
Replying to a question as to what he believes he can bring to the post of European Commission President after having headed the European Parliament, an institution often in dispute with Commission bureaucrats, he highlights that “the civil servants in the Commission are highly qualified and enthusiastic about the European project”.
Schulz believes however that “the Commission should concentrate on matters where there is a real European added value and where Members States alone can no longer act effectively”.
“There are plenty of problems to solve and plenty to do -act to limit climate change, economic issues, money, trade, fight against organized crime- without getting bucked down into unnecessary regulations”, he says.
He continues pointing out that “we need to let others do what they do better, at a local, regional or national level can be done there; If, by doing this, we give things back or do not start to act in the first place, that would be a major change of direction and a big progress”.
Replying to a question as to how close he believes the European Parliament is to European citizens he recalls that the European Parliament is the only directly-elected institution of the European Union and its 766 MEPs represent 28 countries and their political tendencies.
“Thanks to the Lisbon treaty, the European Parliament has increased powers in the legislative process and can have a say on the largest part of European policies”, he notes, pointing out that the institution “is in particular very active on crucial issues for Europeans citizens` daily life such as youth unemployment or data protection”.
Martin Schulz was nominated `candidate designate` for the post of European Commission president by the Party of European Socialists in November.
He has been serving as President of the European Parliament since January 2012.
The Treaty of Lisbon has introduced a direct link between the results of elections to the European Parliament and the choice of candidate for the Presidency of the Commission.
From now on, the European Council must take account of the results in the Parliament when nominating the person it intends to appoint as President of the Commission. This change increases the weight carried by the European Parliament in appointing the President and therefore raises the political stakes associated with European elections.
