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Statements
by the President of the Republic on the sidelines of the European Council in
Brussels |
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Upon arrival at the venue of
the European Council in Brussels, the President of the Republic, Mr Nikos
Christodoulides, called the European Council session a difficult one. Speaking to journalists, President Christodoulides stated, “We have a difficult European Council with several issues on which there are divergent views among Member States. Certainly, the revision of the multiannual financial framework is the issue that is expected to dominate in the discussions. We hope there will be a conclusion. It is an important issue. From the Republic of Cyprus's point of view, it is important that there is more funding on the issue of migration, particularly for the Member States that are on the front line, the Member States that face the most challenges. Beyond that, there is the issue
of expansion, a very important issue. The expansion of the European Union
(EU) is a political tool that we must use properly. We hope that today we
will have decisions in the direction of launching accession negotiations, in
line with the Commission's recommendations. The launching of accession
negotiations does not mean accession to the EU. It is a long process which
helps candidate countries come closer to the EU.” Referring to the war in the
Gaza Strip, the President of the Republic said, “I hope there will be a
substantive discussion and conclusions on developments in the Middle East.
There is a war in our neighbourhood, a war in the neighbourhood of the EU.
And if we do not have a substantial, thorough discussion on this issue today,
and if there are no conclusions from today's Council, then we, as the EU, are
sending out the wrong message. And this is the issue I referred to in detail
at the meeting of the European People's Party (EPP), and the one I will refer
to during the European Council.” Asked about the issue of a
ceasefire in Gaza, President Christodoulides noted, “What I mentioned earlier
is that today we, as the EU, need to discuss the situation in Gaza,
especially the dire humanitarian situation, and I hope that we take
decisions. If we are not going to have a substantive discussion, if we do not
have conclusions today in relation to the situation in Gaza, then I am afraid
that, as the EU, we will have failed. Therefore, this is the issue that I am
going to raise during our discussions, the need to discuss specifically the
critical humanitarian situation, and I hope that we will agree on decisions
on this particular issue. Cyprus, as one of the closest EU Member States in
the region, as a country with excellent relations with all the countries in
the region, we are trying to play a substantial role, especially on the
humanitarian aspect. And that is why we have proposed the creation of a
maritime humanitarian corridor for the provision of humanitarian aid – which
we already have in Cyprus – to the people in Gaza. I really hope that today,
as the EU, we will understand the importance of the situation and the need to
address the challenges in Gaza, especially on the issue of the humanitarian
crisis.” Asked by a journalist whether
it is possible to achieve a result since there are many different views, the
President of the Republic replied, “Obviously I understand that there are
different views, but if we cannot at least agree on the dramatic humanitarian
situation which exists and on the need to respond as the EU, then, I repeat,
I am very sorry, but as the EU, we will have failed.” Asked to comment whether
Hungary's stance might also affect the debate, President Christodoulides
said, "Certainly, the stance of some Member States – in this case
Hungary’s stance – is something which also affects the debate on the
abolition of unanimity in general. But also on the Middle East issue, yes,
there are different views, but we have to sit down to discuss and find common
ground. And I repeat, on the issue of the dramatic situation with regard to
the civilians, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, I think that, yes, we can
find common ground." Asked about recent reports in
the Cypriot press about the prospect of a meeting with Erdogan, President
Christodoulides stated, “Particularly at the present juncture, the management
of the Cyprus problem requires seriousness. And it certainly does not lend
itself to communication or other purposes or even to serve other purposes. Of
course, if I have an invitation from Mr Erdogan, I will visit him. If there
is a possibility of a meeting with Mr Erdogan, I will pursue it. And let me
tell you that I conveyed this readiness to him in person and through third
parties. However, let me tell you something; if there was a possibility for
such a meeting, everything that has been published does not help in any case.
Therefore, I conclude with what I said at the beginning: the management of
the Cyprus problem requires seriousness and does not lend itself – especially
at the present juncture, fifty years later, with the faits accomplis being
constantly reinforced – to the service of any other expediencies.” (AP/GS/MS) |
