Zagreb: Cooperation and coordination on issues which are high on the agenda of the EU during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU were the focus of a meeting between President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides and President of the European People's Party (EPP) Manfred Weber. The meeting was held on Friday, on the sidelines of the EPP Congress taking place in Zagreb, Croatia.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou, who accompanied the President to Zagreb, stated that the meeting also addressed issues related to regional and international developments. President Christodoulides expressed gratitude to President Weber for the EPP's support in shaping and implementing policies within the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, aimed at benefiting European citizens.
President Christodoulides also thanked Weber for the EPP's consistent support in efforts to resume negotiations for a settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on the UN Security Council's resolutions. He emphasized the importance of respecting what has been achieved so far in the negotiations, as well as adhering to the principles and values of the EU.
Earlier, during his address to the Congress attended by European leaders and EPP members, Weber highlighted that the current Presidency of the Council of the EU is 'in good and steady hands.' He praised President Christodoulides' leadership at the helm of the EU, as noted by the Deputy Government Spokesperson.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, following Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have failed to produce results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended without a conclusive outcome.