EU Council draft conclusions include reference to Cyprus issue

A special reference to the Cyprus problem is included in the draft conclusions of the European Council, to be adopted on Friday by the EU leaders.

Meanwhile, President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades is scheduled to meet with Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule on Thursday to discuss EU-Cyprus relations and the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

In its draft conclusions, the European Council welcomes the resumption of negotiations for a solution of the Cyprus issue, based on a joint declaration of the two sides in Cyprus for the reunification of the island, and supports a comprehensive and viable settlement within the UN framework, based on UN Security Council resolutions and the principles on which the EU is established.

Furthermore, the European Council points out that the division of Cyprus has gone on for far too long and places emphasis on maintaining the momentum, adding that it is ready to play a role in supporting the negotiations.

It also notes that the reunification of Cyprus will be to the benefit of people of Cyprus as a whole and thus will support any confidence building measures agreed by the two sides towards creating a climate of mutual trust and promoting the talks.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu reached an agreement last February, paving the way for the resumption of Cyprus talks, aiming to reunify the country under a federal roof.