The new Multiannual Financial Framework will be central to the discussions between President Nikos Christodoulides and European Council President António Costa who will be in Nicosia this morning, Friday, 4 September as part of his tour of the capitals of EU Member States, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis has said.
The Spokesperson, during his briefing for media representatives, said Costa is to arrive at the Presidential Palace at 9am on Friday. The two Presidents will first hold a private meeting, followed by expanded talks. At 10.35am, President Christodoulides and Costa will make statements to the media.
The visit is taking place at a particularly important time for the European Union, Letymbiotis said, as well as at a critical juncture for efforts to resume substantive negotiations on the Cyprus issue.
“Central to the discussions will be the new Multiannual Financial Framework, in other words the EU budget for the 2028-2034 period, he said, noting that during the Cyprus EU Presidency, substantial progress was made and the groundwork was laid for the final stage of the political negotiations, with the aim of reaching an agreement by the end of 2026.
At today's meeting, and in its capacity as a Member State, the Republic of Cyprus will put forward specific positions and clear demands, he added.
“We are calling for an ambitious and fair European budget that responds to new challenges, such as security and competitiveness, recognises the particular needs of small island states, and provides substantial support for growth and social cohesion,” he said.
The Government Spokesperson said particular importance was being attached to protecting national allocations for Cohesion Policy, the Common Agricultural Policy and Migration.
The talks will also address EU enlargement, competitiveness, migration, and developments in Ukraine, the Middle East and the Gulf, he added.
Cyprus issue
Letymbiotis also said that President Christodoulides would brief President Costa on the latest developments on the Cyprus issue - efforts to resume substantive negotiations, the recent visit to Cyprus by the UN Secretary-General, and enhanced EU involvement, including the role of Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Raffaele Fitto as the EU Special Envoy for the Cyprus issue.
“Our position is clear: The process is being conducted under the auspices of the United Nations, and the European Union can play a supportive and catalytic role by making use of its political weight, its instruments and the incentives at its disposal,” Letymbiotis said.
In this context, he added, further progress in EU - Turkey relations could provide the tools needed for Ankara to make a substantive contribution to the resumption of negotiations and efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, always within the framework of the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
“The Republic of Cyprus is an EU Member State, and a reunited Cyprus will continue to be a Member State of the Union. The settlement must therefore ensure a functioning European state, fully compatible with the EU acquis, principles and values,” he said.
Letymbiotis noted that Friday’s meeting represented another opportunity for substantive dialogue on the major issues facing Europe, while also providing an opportunity to address matters of particular importance to Cyprus.
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 due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.
(Source: CNA)
