Cyprus among Juncker’s big regrets

The failure to reunify Cyprus while in office has been one of Jean Claude Juncker’s big regrets, the European Commission President told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper in an interview.

Juncker, who spoke on Brexit and other issues, also found time to reveal his disappointment over the failure to reunify Cyprus.

“I am saddened that we did not get the reunification of Cyprus,” Juncker told the German newspaper, adding that he told Cypriots they would not find another one who was so concerned about them.

The Luxemburg-born politician also said the EU Chief Brexit negotiator was working hard to reach a deal with the United Kingdom.

"But if we don't succeed in the end, the responsibility would lie exclusively on the British side," Juncker said.

The EC president also spoke about his disappointment over the failure to bring to fruition a framework agreement with Switzerland, telling the Swiss people “your country will not find such a friend.”

Jean-Claude Juncker will not seek a second term as European Commission president, once his current mandate ends in 2019.