President Nicos Anastasiades has asked the EU leaders not to lose sight of the Cyprus problem, during his participation in the last EU Council in Brussels and the EUMED-9 in Alicante last week. This is the last time Anastasiades attended a EUCO and an EUMED summit, as Cyprus goes into the polls for presidential elections in February 2023. Anastasiades was elected President in 2013 and again in 2018.
The EU leaders praised President Anastasiades’ contribution in the EU Councils and EUMED conferences and spoke with warm words about their friend Nicos, as they called him.
The ten-year presence of President Anastasiades in the Council Sessions ended last Thursday with a special ceremony on the sidelines of a working dinner, in the presence of the leaders of the EU member states and the heads of the Union’s institutions.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, described President Anastasiades as an attractive personality, adding that he was one of the experienced members of the Council.
He emphasized the fact that he was always willing to contribute in favor of building a common European consensus. He said that when he took over as Prime Minister of Belgium he was impressed by President Anastasiades’ grace and kindness and impeccable rhetoric and the way he expressed his arguments and views, for the good of his country and its people.
Cyprus President was moved by the kind words and said that him being a member of the European Council for ten consecutive years is one of the most valuable experiences of his life.
He said that this has certainly not been an easy journey, considering the numerous challenges and many crises but noted the commitment and determination of all members to find mutually beneficial solutions to address concerns and interests of each member state.
He asked the EU leaders to be concerned about the Cyprus problem and not to lose sight of it, pointing out that the Cyprus problem is a European problem and a member state of the European Union remains divided.
President Anastasiades noted that Cyprus, as a member state of the European Union, is daily faced with threats and violations of its sovereignty.
He asked EU leaders to work closely with the new President to find a solution, based on the European acquis and the framework set by the United Nations, while exerting pressure on Turkey to participate constructively in the negotiations and refrain from any provocative and illegal actions against Cyprus.
Cyprus President said goodbye to the leaders of the EUMED – 9 Summit which took place last week in Alicante, Spain. He spoke of the excellent cooperation and sincere friendship of all the leaders and expressed his gratitude for their support.
During the Summit all leaders noted that they worked hard with the aim of cooperation and mutual respect for the benefit of all the Mediterranean states which participate in the scheme.
The Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis in his statements thanked President Anastasiades for his contribution and referred to the fir stance of the EUMED-9 leaders as regards the Cyprus issue.
The Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa made special reference to his friendship with the President of the Republic and spoke of his “European spirit” and the fact that he always tried to make a constructive contribution for the common good.
The Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, thanked President Anastasiades for the friendship they have developed.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani thanked President Anastasiades for his contribution for the benefit of Europe.
Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. Repeated rounds of talks under the UN aegis, failed so far to yield results for the reunification of the island under a federal roof. The last round of negotiations took place in the summer of 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana.
Source: Cyprus News Agency