Political figures from EU member states will be proposed by the President of the Republic to the President of the European Council during their upcoming meeting, in relation to further involvement of the EU in the Cyprus issue, provided that he finds that there is the political will on the part of the EU, said today President of the Republic Mr. Nikos Christodoulidis.

In his statements to journalists, after his visit to the Limassol General Hospital, the President of the Republic of Cyprus was asked about his conversation yesterday with the President of the European Council, Mr. Charles Michel, and asked to refer to Mr. Michel’s response to his proposal for further involvement of the EU in the Cyprus issue, said that “the President of the European Council – without it being right for me to speak for him, but I can tell you that, on the basis of the discussion we had, he sees positively the further involvement of the EU in efforts to break the impasse and restart the talks. the Republic of Cyprus is a member state of the EU, it will continue to be even after a possible solution of the Cyprus problem. I have specific names in mind, some of which I have discussed with myself and in the discussion with Mr. Michel What we have agreed is to go to Brussels before the fixed date of the European Council – the European Council is on 23 March, I will go the day before – to have a meeting with Mr Michel to discuss more specifically our approach, as well as with President of the European Commission and with the President of the European Parliament. So, there will be a specific discussion, we have some ideas, I had the opportunity yesterday to mention some examples of how the EU can help break the impasse and that is what we will do. I know the Cyprus issue quite well, things are not easy, they are certainly difficult, but we cannot stop trying or ‘hide’ behind the Turkish intransigence. The current situation cannot be the solution to the Cyprus problem and from our side we will do everything possible to break the deadlock and restart the talks».

Asked if he would propose names to Mr. Michel, the President said “yes, I have specific names in mind, some of which I have discussed with myself and in the discussion with Mr. Michel, and if I see that there is the political will, I will let’s talk specifically about names.”

When asked if these people come from EU member countries, the President of the Republic said “yes, they come from EU member states“, while being asked to clarify, he said that it is “political figures from the European area».

Regarding the descent of Ms. Di Carlo, the President of the Republic said that “I look forward to the meeting with Mrs. Di Carlo, I think it is positive that she is coming to Cyprus especially before the European Council. Then she herself will go to Brussels to accompany the UN Secretary General who will be there. Our effort within the EU is always done within the framework of the UN, I want to make it clear, so that there is no doubt about this specific issue. It will be my first meeting (with Mr. Michel), I will convey how we see its involvement EU to act as reinforcements in the direction of the UNs who wish to restart the talks. I will have, before the meeting with Ms. DiCarlo, a meeting, already scheduled, with Mr. Stewart precisely to discuss these matters».

Asked if optimism is allowed, the President of the Republic said that “what is allowed is a struggle, an effort to create optimism”.