President Nikos Christodoulides met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Paris this morning where they discussed the Cyprus issue and the country’s path towards accession to the Schengen area.
The two were in the French capital to celebrate France’s national day, coinciding with the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789.
According to deputy government spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou, Christodoulides thanked von der Leyen for designating Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto as Special Representative for Cyprus. He also expressed appreciation for the Commission’s decisive role in supporting the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to resume negotiations on the Cyprus problem on the basis of the agreed framework and in line with the principles, values and law of the European Union.
Von der Leyen said Fitto’s appointment reflects the Commission’s strong commitment to the reunification of Cyprus and confirms the EU’s interest in the Cyprus issue, the resolution of which is regarded as a priority matter.
She also said, according to Antoniou, that the EU will make use of all available tools, given that the Republic of Cyprus will continue to be a member state of the Union after a settlement of the Cyprus issue. She reaffirmed the position that any settlement of the Cyprus issue must be compatible with EU principles, values and acquis.
Regarding Cyprus’ full accession to the Schengen Area, satisfaction was expressed that the Republic of Cyprus has successfully fulfilled all technical requirements and that only the political decision now remains to be taken. The Commission President expressed support for Cyprus’ full accession to the Schengen Area as soon as possible.
Turkey accuses EU of bias
According to Daily Sabah, Turkey criticized the EU on Monday following the the appointment of a new special representative for Cyprus, accusing the bloc of maintaining a biased approach to the decades-old dispute.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli said Ankara views the appointment as an internal matter of the EU, while at the same time arguing that the EU lost its neutrality when it admitted Cyprus as a member in 2004 despite the Greek Cypriot rejection of the UN-backed Annan Plan.
He also accused EU institutions, including the European Parliament, of continuing with a one-sided approach to the issue.
Keçeli said Ankara expects the newly appointed envoy to work toward changing the EU's position and to recognize that a lasting settlement can only be achieved through negotiations between "two sovereignly equal states" based on the realities on the island.
According to the Turkish daily, Turkey supports a two-state solution for the island, while the UN continues to back a federal settlement framework.
