Anastasiades says determined to participate creatively in Cyprus conference

President Nicos Anastasiades received the UNSG’s special envoy Jane Holl Lute in Nicosia on Monday as preparatory work continues to unfold ahead of the informal conference on Cyprus to be held in Geneva on April 27-29.

During the meeting, Anastasiades reiterated his and the Greek Cypriot side’s determination to participate in the conference in a creative way, and reaffirmed his absolute political will to cooperate in view of securing a functional, viable, and long-lasting solution to the Cyprus problem.

Anastasiades highlighted the need for the solution to be based on UN Security Council decisions and resolutions, the Berlin joint statement of November 25, 2019, High-Level Agreements on the Cyprus problem, the work and the convergences reached so far, as well as EU principles and values, so that the Republic of Cyprus will evolve to a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Anastasiades also reiterated the position of the Greek Cypriot side that the presence of the EU as an observer to the conference on Cyprus is to the benefit of everyone in Cyprus, as an EU member state, but can also benefit Turkey which is currently seeking a positive agenda with the EU.

Following her meeting with Anastasiades, Lute also met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, before taking off for contacts in Athens. Lute is also scheduled to hold contacts with the British Foreign Office.