Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of the Republic of Cyprus, hold a joint press point in the European Parliament, in Brussels.

Brussels

press point

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

EU - Cyprus (T)

president's agenda

CHRISTODOULIDES, Nikos

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of the Republic of Cyprus

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, So good afternoon. I'm very pleased to welcome the President of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, to the European Parliament. Dear President, dear Nikos, I congratulate you, first of all, on your recent election and it is an honour to receive you here in the House of European democracy. Europe will never be complete as long as Cyprus remains divided. And I want to emphasise on your first official visit to the European Parliament this division of an EU Member State is not only a Cypriot issue but a European one.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, We will not turn our backs on Cyprus and our joint ambition to see the reunification of your island under the auspices of the UN peace plan. Cyprus's solidarity with Turkey after the devastating earthquakes last month is proof that we can build trust. And I very much look forward to your proposals, to a new impetus to the resumption of negotiations between the new communities.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Cyprus is our main gateway to the Middle East, to Asia, to Africa. I am aware of the challenges that Cypriots face in terms of migration. And again, this isn't a Cypriot issue of no Member State should be left alone to cope with migration flows on its own. And that is why we must press on with updating our own legal framework.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, The reform of the Common European Asylum System and in this pact we have an approach that is just and humane, with who is in need of protection. That is fair and firm with those who are not eligible, and that is strong with those smugglers preying off the most vulnerable. Cyprus is the heart of Europe and I look forward to strengthening our bond in the future. Dear President Christodoulides, the floor is yours.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of Cyprus, Dear Roberta, thank you very much for the opportunity. I'm looking forward to working closely with you and, of course, the European Parliament. I would like to thank you for being a strong supporter of Cyprus. I know very well your sensitivities. I want to thank you for your recent participation in the exhibition regarding Famagusta. Which is another indication of your strong interest for the solution of the of the Cyprus problem, which very correctly you mention is a European problem.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of Cyprus, And I'm in Brussels, my first visit following my inauguration as President of the Republic of Cyprus, to discuss a number of issues of common concern. Including of course, the Cyprus problem and how the European Union can help us to return back to the negotiating table and solve the Cyprus problem. I really believe that the European Union can play Catholic a role in order to bring the Turkish side back to the table and through negotiation from the point that it was stopped back in 2017, Crans-Montana settlement, of the Cyprus problem.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of Cyprus, Of course, there are other issues of concern that we are going to discuss. You mentioned already migration, a very important and serious issue in Cyprus, and not only. An issue that we need European Union solidarity, we need to show in action the burden sharing of all Member States. But also, of course, we will discuss Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nikos CHRISTODOULIDES, President of Cyprus, Cyprus stands in the right part of the history. No violation of the sovereignty, the territorial integrity of any country can be accepted and also other issues. I know very well your interest on the youth issues and I am looking forward to to our discussions. Thank you very much.

Q&A Question regarding the current geopolitical context with the war in Ukraine and the idea to enhance the help also in Cyprus.