President Nikos Christodoulides has exchanged views with other EU leaders on ideal European personalities that could contribute to breaking the deadlock of Cyprus talks.
In an interview with DW in Berlin on Thursday before meeting with the German Chancellor, President Christodoulides spoke about his proposal for a European role in the Cyprus issue.
Asked if it could be former Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Christodoulides said he had exchanged views on specific names with the French President, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands and some officials of the European Commission – politicians, not technocrats – and that he will also discuss this with the German Chancellor.
He said that Merkel could be a personality who can contribute to the effort, but it remains to be seen whether she wishes for this role or will be the European Union’s choice.
It should be a political figure who can speak directly with the Turkish President; this is the main issue, underlined Christodoulides.
He said, “At the moment, we are one step behind the negotiations; there is an impasse, and this is where the European Union, the European personality should work, to break the impasse without replacing in any way the role of the UN.
“This personality can talk to Turkey, to the interested parties, expressing a readiness for a positive agenda in the EU – Turkey relations; this is important for whoever is elected Turkish President.”
Once Cyprus talks resume, Christodoulides said Nicosia is ready to discuss these issues.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the German Chancellor, in a speech to the European Parliament, referred to today’s changing environment and stressed the need for a strong European Union.
The President said he embraces this position, and the Republic of Cyprus is one of those member states working towards this idea of a stronger EU.
He said that beyond Ukraine, there is also the region of the wider Eastern Mediterranean, which is the geographical region of the Republic.
“We must bring Turkey closer to the European Union, and this passes through the solution of the Cyprus problem.”
He underlined that he was referring to a solution within the framework of the United Nations and that any negotiations would be under the auspices of the UN.
The European Union, he said, is the one that has the tools that can break the deadlock.
