The inclusion of a specific reference to the Cyprus problem in the text of the conclusions of the forthcoming European Council reflects the support of the EU and partners to reunification efforts, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said in a discussion on the preparation of the meeting, during the General Affairs Council held on Tuesday in Luxembourg. As noted in a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministers exchanged views on the issues that are expected to be discussed by the leaders, as well as on the text of the draft conclusions of the European Council. In his intervention, the Foreign Ministe welcomed the inclusion of a specific reference to the Cyprus problem in the text of the draft conclusions. According to the statement, Kombos stressed that the initiative of President Nikow Christodoulides for a more active involvement of the EU in the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem can be a decisive factor towards breaking the deadlock and returning to the negotiating table. The inclusion of a specific reference in the text of the Conclusions reflects the support of the EU and our partners in our efforts to reunify our homeland on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions, he stressed. In relation to the main issues to be addressed by the European Council, Kombos reiterated Cyprus' full solidarity and support to Ukraine, while in relation to migration, he welcomed the progress made on the external aspects of migration. Cyprus looks forward to the presentation of the Action Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean by the European Commission in the near future, the Foreign Minister added. Other issues discussed during the General Affairs Council were the revision of the European Electoral Law, as well as the European Semester findings concerning national reform and stability programmes. The ministers were also briefed on the programme of the next trio of EU Council presidencies (Spain - Belgium - Hungary), which will start in July with the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Ministers responsible for European Affairs also had an informal working lunch with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Nicu Popescu. In the margins of the proceedings, Kombos also had a separate meeting with Popescu, focused on bilateral relations, the Cyprus problem and the prospect of Moldova's accession to the EU. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Source: Cyprus News Agency