The unification of Cyprus is a key issue in a United Europe, the President of the European Council, António Costa, said on Friday at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, where he was received by the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides.
The Cyprus problem is a European problem, President Christodoulides noted on his part, while also referring to their forthcoming discussions on the Multiannual Financial Framework.
Costa arrived at the Presidential Palace at 9:10 am (local time) and had a private meeting with President Christodoulides. Speaking before the meeting, the President of Cyprus praised President Costa for his initiative, in light of the very important discussions at the upcoming European Council, to visit all member states "to hear our concerns and exchange views, with the aim of finding a compromise, which is the key word in the European Union."
While noting that this is Costas' third visit in 2026, President Christodoulides thanked him "for your support, and, of course, the support of the General Secretariat of the Council during our Presidency. Your contribution and your support have been vital". "I am looking forward to our discussions. Of course, MFF is the most important issue, and we need to do our utmost in order to reach a political agreement by the end of 2026. We don't have an alternative," he added.
He noted, moreover, that Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, enlargement, competitiveness, defence, and security are going to be discussed in the meeting.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, he thanked Costa "for your personal interest about the Cyprus problem. We are going to discuss the efforts of the UN Secretary General to resume negotiations and solve the Cyprus problem based on the UN Security Council resolutions and, of course, the law, the values and the principles of the European Union."
He added that "the Cyprus problem is a European problem and the European Union can play a decisive role to reunite our country. I am aware of your personal interest, I know that you're in touch with the UN Secretary General and I'm looking forward to our discussions."
On his part, President Costa congratulated President Christodoulides on the Cyprus Presidency "and your effort in leading the European Union in the first half of this year. Now we need to continue your work."
He noted that very challenging decisions will follow in the coming month. "The most important, perhaps, is the next budget for the period 2028-2034" said Costa.
He added that "it's clear to me that the European institutions must be close to the citizens and to the member states. We need to work hand-in-hand because only together we can deliver, and our strength is based on our unity."
He underlined that "in the United Europe, the unification of Cyprus is a key issue."
Costa added that the solution must adhere to international law, and expressed hope that a good solution will be found to the Cyprus problem.
"We are committed to international law, to cooperation, and to the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to find a good solution to the Cyprus issue, and you can always count on the support of the European Union," he concluded.
Expanded talks after the tete-a-tete, and statements to the media by the two Presidents were to follow.
