Cyprus
President Nicos Anastasiades expressed his satisfaction over the
positive feedback he had from the European Council, on a request for
support to be given to Cyprus so that it may overcome current
difficulties.
Speaking after the European Council, on Wednesday, President Anastasiades said that from the various contacts he has had during the course of the day, it seems that European leaders understand that Cyprus needs Europe’s solidarity.
At the same time, he added, they also understand that an eventual failure of the harsh decision taken for Cyprus would translate to a European failure.
According to the Cyprus President, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, appeared to regard under a positive light Cyprus’ request for an increase in financial help in the context of the Multiannual Financial Framework.
During our meeting, I pointed out that given difficult economic conditions a greater EU participation is needed in co- funded programmes and I asked for his help in that direction, President Anastasiades said.
British Prime Minister David Cameron who met with President Anastasiades earlier on in the day on the sidelines of the European Council was also positive.
He further referred to a meeting he had with European Parliament President Martin Schulz who not only fully supported our request but also referred to it specifically during the European Council calling on everyone to contribute and to work towards meeting the request.
President Anastasiades said that in an intervention he made at the European Council he thanked Schulz and noted that in the matter of EU co-funded projects Cyprus should be treated in the same manner as other countries, receiving EU assistance have been treated.
He further noted that during the discussion on energy matters he stressed the importance of hydrocarbon reserves in the Levantine Basin and Cyprus’ prospect of becoming a regional energy hub.
He said that he highlighted the fact that the south corridor constitutes under the circumstances a safe and beneficial proposal. The discussion on the matter, he added, showed that EU leaders seem to plan to use the connection of Israel, Cyprus and Greece as one of the alternative energy routes to connect the rest of Europe.
The Cyprus President also noted that the use of domestic energy sources and in particular of independent reserves will contribute significantly to European energy security.
Finally, he underlined the importance of the energy sector in the effort to improve the EU’s competitiveness whilst at the same time also promoting growth and the creation of new jobs.
President Anstasiades expressed Cyprus’ support to measures included in the Commission’s Action Plan for combating fraud and tax evasion. He also said that he took the opportunity to convey the importance the Republic of Cyprus places both in the institutional framework on combating money laundering and its implementation by all European countries.
I stressed, he said, that despite the fact that Cyprus has received a positive evaluation in this area, following a request from our partners, we accepted a very detailed evaluation of the implementation of the due diligence followed by banks.
It was with great satisfaction that we noted, he added, that the general picture which came out as regards our country from these evaluations in no way gives credit to a defamatory effort by certain circles against Cyprus recently.
Cyprus has agreed with international lenders on €10 billion rescue package, under which, it must close down the Popular Bank, and impose painful losses on deposits of more than €100,000 held at the Bank of Cyprus. Both institutions were heavily exposed to the Greek debt.
Referring to Van Rompuy’s visit to Turkey, on Thursday, President Nicos Anastasiades said that he had briefed the European Council President on Cyprus’ readiness for talks to begin in order for a solution to be found in the Cyprus issue, after the ground has been properly prepared and enough time is granted so that the current difficult situation can be dealt with.
The Cyprus President also said that he stressed that good will measures such as the return of the enclosed city of Varosha and others would be of importance in the chances of success a new effort for the solution of the Cyprus issue would have.
Speaking after the European Council, on Wednesday, President Anastasiades said that from the various contacts he has had during the course of the day, it seems that European leaders understand that Cyprus needs Europe’s solidarity.
At the same time, he added, they also understand that an eventual failure of the harsh decision taken for Cyprus would translate to a European failure.
According to the Cyprus President, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, appeared to regard under a positive light Cyprus’ request for an increase in financial help in the context of the Multiannual Financial Framework.
During our meeting, I pointed out that given difficult economic conditions a greater EU participation is needed in co- funded programmes and I asked for his help in that direction, President Anastasiades said.
British Prime Minister David Cameron who met with President Anastasiades earlier on in the day on the sidelines of the European Council was also positive.
He further referred to a meeting he had with European Parliament President Martin Schulz who not only fully supported our request but also referred to it specifically during the European Council calling on everyone to contribute and to work towards meeting the request.
President Anastasiades said that in an intervention he made at the European Council he thanked Schulz and noted that in the matter of EU co-funded projects Cyprus should be treated in the same manner as other countries, receiving EU assistance have been treated.
He further noted that during the discussion on energy matters he stressed the importance of hydrocarbon reserves in the Levantine Basin and Cyprus’ prospect of becoming a regional energy hub.
He said that he highlighted the fact that the south corridor constitutes under the circumstances a safe and beneficial proposal. The discussion on the matter, he added, showed that EU leaders seem to plan to use the connection of Israel, Cyprus and Greece as one of the alternative energy routes to connect the rest of Europe.
The Cyprus President also noted that the use of domestic energy sources and in particular of independent reserves will contribute significantly to European energy security.
Finally, he underlined the importance of the energy sector in the effort to improve the EU’s competitiveness whilst at the same time also promoting growth and the creation of new jobs.
President Anstasiades expressed Cyprus’ support to measures included in the Commission’s Action Plan for combating fraud and tax evasion. He also said that he took the opportunity to convey the importance the Republic of Cyprus places both in the institutional framework on combating money laundering and its implementation by all European countries.
I stressed, he said, that despite the fact that Cyprus has received a positive evaluation in this area, following a request from our partners, we accepted a very detailed evaluation of the implementation of the due diligence followed by banks.
It was with great satisfaction that we noted, he added, that the general picture which came out as regards our country from these evaluations in no way gives credit to a defamatory effort by certain circles against Cyprus recently.
Cyprus has agreed with international lenders on €10 billion rescue package, under which, it must close down the Popular Bank, and impose painful losses on deposits of more than €100,000 held at the Bank of Cyprus. Both institutions were heavily exposed to the Greek debt.
Referring to Van Rompuy’s visit to Turkey, on Thursday, President Nicos Anastasiades said that he had briefed the European Council President on Cyprus’ readiness for talks to begin in order for a solution to be found in the Cyprus issue, after the ground has been properly prepared and enough time is granted so that the current difficult situation can be dealt with.
The Cyprus President also said that he stressed that good will measures such as the return of the enclosed city of Varosha and others would be of importance in the chances of success a new effort for the solution of the Cyprus issue would have.
President
Anastasiades put forward his views on both the economy and the Cyprus
issue during all the other meetings he had in Brussels. As he said,
he also met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and the Prime
Ministers of Finland and Holland.
Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN led talks underway since 2008 stalled on the part of the Turkish Cypriot side just before the assumption by the Republic of Cyprus of the EU Council rotating Presidency on July 1 2012.
Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN led talks underway since 2008 stalled on the part of the Turkish Cypriot side just before the assumption by the Republic of Cyprus of the EU Council rotating Presidency on July 1 2012.
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