Nicosia resolute amid damage control over sanctions

There is clear political will on the part of the Government so that there is no shadow of a doubt, Cyprus’ President, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Tuesday evening, when asked to comment on media reports regarding the inclusion of Cypriot natural and legal persons on the list of the latest sanctions by the US.

In statements to journalists on the sidelines of an event in the village of Choulou, in Pafos district, and asked about reports by British newspaper, Guardian, on the matter, President Christodoulides said that “the best answer” was the statements from the US Government.

He said that the Government has been in contact with the US Government from the beginning and that Nicosia has asked to be given specific information. “Our own political will is clear, that we will not allow this kind of phenomena, that escape the framework of the sanctions that have been decided, in particular by the EU, in which the Republic of Cyprus also participated,” he said.

He said contacts with the US Government will continue while, following the meeting he convened last Thursday on the issue, he will also have meetings within the coming days, with the Law Office and the Ministry of Finance, “precisely, to do what needs to be done”. “We must in no way allow or enable anyone to tarnish the name of our country,” he added.

President Christodoulides stated the Government's “clear political will” so that there is no shadow of a doubt on this issue.