Martens urges local leaders to find will for a solution

The President of the European People’s Party (EPP) Wilfred Martens urged local leaders in Nicosia yesterday to find the political will for a solution, saying that it is not only the international community that can find an agreement.

“It is urgent to find a solution. Not to accept the period of stagnation, that worsens the situation and the gap. We are committed as EPP to engage negotiations and initiatives for a solution”, he said.

“I think you need an incentive, the leaders of this country and of the political parties have to have the political will,” he said.

While acknowledging that it is the UN that takes the initiative, he said “It is not only the international community which can realise an agreement.”

However, he was also keen that the EU take a more active role in finding a solution with “the influence of EU values”.

“The EU cannot be neutral. For me it is an essential concern of the EU to promote and be positive in trying to find a solution,” he said.

The Greek Cypriot leadership has long been calling for a more active role by the EU.

Re Turkey, he said, “Turkey signed the Protocol, which has an international value and significance and thus, it has to ratify and implement it”.