UK's Stephen Lillie met with President Nicos Anastasiades this morning (update)

During this morning's meeting with UK High Commissioner Stephen Lillie, the President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, stressed that any proposals or ideas concerning the Cyprus issue should not go beyond the framework of the UN Security Council resolutions, with the ultimate goal of always transforming the Republic of Cyprus into a functioning and sustainable state, without anachronistic guarantee systems and the presence of foreign troops.

According to a written statement from the Government Spokesman, Mario Pelekanos, the British High Commissioner reaffirmed Britain's position for the resumption of talks on the basis of the agreed framework, giving some explanations as to the Government's initiatives.

Mr. Pelekanos pointed out that during the meeting, which took place at the request of the High Commissioner, there was an honest exchange of views regarding the prospects of the resumption of talks.

The President of the Republic reiterated his readiness for a joint meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader, in the presence of the UN Secretary General, as he had stated in the letter he sent to the UN Secretary General on 30/08/2021, with the aim of resuming the talks, under the agreed framework, he added.

He also noted that during the meeting, President Anastasiadis also stressed the need to adopt bold and substantial confidence-building measures as has been repeatedly submitted to the Secretary-General, which will support the efforts to resume talks.