President to launch EU Cyprus problem tour

President Nikos Christodoulides will visit fellow EU member states to encourage more active European involvement in breaking the six-year deadlock in Cyprus problem talks.

“We consider the situation at this juncture favours the resumption of talks.

“And the presence of the EU in breaking the deadlock, EU involvement, is something we deem which will be of decisive importance,” Christodoulides told reporters.

Asked if there is anything new on appointing a new UN envoy, Christodoulides said: “We continue our efforts both towards the United Nations and the EU.”

“I have repeatedly referred to the significance of more active involvement on the part of the EU.

“Soon, certain visits abroad will be announced mainly to discuss how we will achieve this objective”.

He said messages he is taking from his contacts “is positive that on the part of the EU, they see this need, they see the readiness of our side.”

“Of course, this does not satisfy us.

“We will continue until the end to create a situation allowing the resumption of talks.

“I have said many times, and I will not get tired of saying it; we will do everything possible on our part.

“We consider that the situation at this juncture favours the resumption of talks.

“And the presence of the EU in breaking the deadlock, EU involvement is something which we deem will be of decisive importance.”

Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results.

The last round of UN-backed negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, ended inconclusively.