OBAMA: best time for Cyprus

US President Barack Obama said that the prospects for a settlement in Cyprus problem are the best that have been for some time, and has urged the parties to continue their work.

 
In statements after a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens, Obama said that they “discussed Cyprus where the prospects for a just, comprehensive, lasting settlement are the best that have been for some time.”
It doesn’t mean, he added, “that success is guaranteed, but the possibility of resolving a decades long conflict is there.”
“We urged the parties to continue their work,” the US President noted, adding that “the interests of all Cypriots will be advanced with a bizonal bicommunal federation.”
Obama continued saying that “we are hopeful that a solution that is durable, which would create new economic optimism for all the people across Cyprus, is within reach.”
The good news, he added, “is that you have two leaders who seem genuinely committed to find compromises and approaches that will serve both their peoples life.”
Obama, who is travelling to meet the leaders of Germany, France and Italy in Berlin on Wednesday, said that the US has invested a lot of time and spoke about Vice President’s Joe Biden’s active involvement.
“We are encouraged by the progress that has been made,” he noted, adding that “I think there is a window in the next weeks, months where this is issue will be actually resolved.”
The US President further noted that a solution would not provide 100% what either side wants, adding that mechanisms could maybe be found for transitional periods.