CYPRUS: Juncker in joint lunch with leaders on Thursday

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will pay an official two-day visit on Thursday and Friday, during which he will attend a lunch with President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot community leader Mustafa Akinci.

According to a European Commission statement, during the first day of his visit, Juncker will hold bilateral meetings with President Anastasiades and Akinci. Later on, all three will attend a lunch at the ceasefire line in Nicosia. Juncker will also meet with the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide.
During the second day of his visit, Juncker will meet with the President of the House Yiannakis Omirou and the leaders of the parliamentary parties. Later on he will address the House plenary.
In a statement, Juncker said that “I pay a visit to Cyprus at a period during which there is a unique opportunity to achieve a permanent and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue.”
He added that “the current situation is unacceptable and is not beneficial for either side. I hail the courage and the vision of the two leaders, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades and Mr. Mustafa Akinci, who show great commitment in their efforts to achieve the reunification of their countries. I want to assure them and the citizens of Cyprus that their efforts enjoy the full and unequivocal support of the European Commission.”