POLITICS: Cyprus issue must be treated as Europe\’s problem: Weber

The Cyprus problem must be upgraded to a European issue, EPP candidate for EU Commission President and EPP Group leader in the European Parliament, Manfred Weber said.

After talks with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades in Nicosia Weber said: “We agree first of all that the Cyprus question is a European issue… that is the main message.” 

He added: “The United Nations have a big and important role, there is no doubt, but the Cyprus question must be upgraded also on a European level, it must have more importance for the rest of the European Union.”

“The Cypriots must know that the rest of the EU is backing up their positions and their concerns.”

Referring to the European elections in May, Weber said that it will be up to “the people to decide about the elections, who have the majorities, who will govern, who will lead in the future the EU.”

“For me Cyprus is the best place to underline the clear EPP leadership, under the leadership of President Anastasiades, and the Democratic Rally showed that the outcome and the success of this policy especially on the economic terms,” said Weber.

“That is why we use Cyprus as an example that the whole EU should be under the leadership of the EPP that creates stability, that creates economic growth and also strength for the global challenges that are ahead of us.”

Weber promised to “make the next five years a positive mandate, a positive five years for the Europeans as a whole” and “count very much on the support of President Anastasiades” in the European Council.

DISY leader Averof Neophytou thanked Weber for his stance on Cyprus, “if he is the next President of the European Commission, the Cyprus problem will be upgraded and will become a European issue”.

He backed Weber’s vision for Europe.

“The wrong perception that Europe is only for the banks and the economy has to be changed,” Neophytou said. 

He pointed out that Europe should deal with daily issues and health issues, adding that fighting cancer is a priority for Weber.