President calls National Council meeting
A National Council meeting will take place on Friday, where President Nikos Christodoulides is expected to brief party leaders on the latest developments over the Cyprus problem.
EU-Turkish relations
Government satisfied with EU summit outcomes
The government of Cyprus has achieved its goal of linking EU-Turkish relations with the Cyprus issue, as stated by government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis. The Republic of Cyprus expects Turkey to act constructively on the Cyprus issue to progress in EU-Turkish relations. The European Union emphasizes the importance of progress on Cyprus. The strategic discussion on EU-Turkish relations has been referred to COREPER, allowing all member states to have a say. President Christodoulides and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Lebanon on May 2nd to discuss an additional economic support package for the country, which is currently under development.
Technocratic level talks continue on EU-Turkey relations
– Consultations at a technocratic level with Germany regarding a possible reference text on EU-Turkish relations are underway, aiming for inclusion in the conclusions of an upcoming EU summit.
– President Nikos Christodoulides made these statements upon his arrival at the European Council.
– Christodoulides welcomed the inclusion of a reference to the Cypriot initiative for a maritime corridor to Gaza in the conclusions on the Middle East.
– He discussed specific next steps on the Cyprus issue with UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressing hope for developments by April towards resuming talks.
– Ongoing discussions follow Germany’s proposal to include a paragraph on EU-Turkey relations in the summit conclusions.
– Christodoulides had meetings with the Chancellor of Germany and the President of the Council, followed by consultations at a technocratic level.
– He emphasized the importance of positive developments in EU-Turkish relations that also involve Cyprus, advocating for a step-by-step approach with an enhanced role for the European Union.
– Other member states, including France, have shown interest in the consultations regarding EU-Turkey relations and Cyprus.
– The Cypriot initiative for a humanitarian corridor to Gaza was praised by all heads of states at the European Council, highlighting Cyprus’s role in the region.
– Christodoulides had a productive meeting with the UN Secretary-General, discussing the next steps on the Cyprus issue and hoping for developments within April.
– He expressed satisfaction with the European Council’s conclusions on security and defence, including the announcement of appointing a Commissioner for Defence in case of the current President of the Commission’s re-election, emphasizing the importance of advancing in defence and security matters for the EU’s strategic autonomy.