Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President to Nicosia, Cyprus. Meeting with Yiannakis OMIROU, President of the House of Representatives - extracts from the joint press statement - extracts from the address by Martin SCHULZ, EP President to the formal sitting of the House of Representatives

press point

meeting

speech

official visit

EU - Cyprus (T)

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

Cyprus

Nicosia

OMIROU, Yiannakis (CY)

Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President to Cyprus: meeting with Yiannakis OMIROU, President of the House of Representatives, extracts from the joint press statement and extracts from the address by Martin SCHULZ, EP President

Exterior shot of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, arrival of the motorcade

Yiannakis OMIROU, President of the House of Representatives greets Martin SCHULZ, EP President. Atmosphere at his arrival.

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, There are still barriers to overcome that would lead to a final unity, also as the principal rules: 'Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed'. All will need to come forward on parts to achieve the compromise. I do call upon you: don't leave the destiny of Cyprus pending on questions of details. If the solution, to unite, can be managed, then all Cypriots will profit from this, politically, economically and culturally.

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, Cyprus will conclude the bailout program these months. For this I would like to congratulate you. In the time of 3 years your country managed to recover from the abyss of a financial collapse and to take the path of economic recovery.

And Europe needs today more than ever a sign of hope, needs more than ever a paradigm like Cyprus, that shows that problems can be overcome with political will and determination.

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, The key as the President of your parliament has rightly said, does not lie solely here, it lies also elsewhere. So the expectations for this historical step lie not only here but also elsewhere. So we all have all the grounds to work together to enable the reunification of Cyprus. Thank you very much for your attention.

Applause, EP President takes the seat at the tribune, handshake with Yiannakis OMIROU and with Nicos ANASTASIADES, President of the Republic of Cyprus.

Press point. SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, The negotiations here is one element, the refugee crisis is another element, and the accession process of Turkey to the EU is a third element. We should not combine these elements.