Coming from Berlin, the united European capital for 35 years now, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier specifically chose to send messages both to Ankara regarding its behaviour towards Cyprus, as well as to the leadership on both sides on what should be done in this new effort in Cyprus.
The German President indicated the necessity of making it clear to Ankara that its behaviour towards the resolution of the Cyprus issue affects other matters concerning Turkey, such as its approach to the European Union.
Asked about the prospects of resolving the Cyprus issue without losses, Mr. Steinmeier mentioned that in the past there were optimistic phases that gave hope for a better situation.
“However, politics have a duty to attempt what seems impossible,” he noted and expressed his gratitude to President Christodoulides for prioritizing the resolution of the Cyprus issue with the support of the UN.
He added that both Germany and other member states will support the UN’s efforts.
Responding to a question about the prospects of resolving the Cyprus issue without losses, President Christodoulides stated that from the day he took office, he prioritized Cyprus and expressed satisfaction that this is recognized by the German President, the international community, and the UN Secretary-General.
The President of Germany announced that to support the UN, they will send German police officers to UNFICYP in Cyprus for the first time.
He welcomed President Christodoulides’s prioritization of achieving progress and made it clear that Germany supports a bicommunal, bizonal solution to the Cyprus issue based on UN parameters.
He expressed satisfaction with the appointment of the new UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy for Cyprus, noting that this is an important message to give new momentum to the solution of the Cyprus issue and to break the stalemate.
He encouraged all parties involved to show the necessary readiness for compromise, so that these forecasts from the UN envoy become a real negotiating orientation.
The German President emphasized that Cyprus is truly a safe haven for Germany and for all of Europe, especially after the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel.
He noted that they had to prepare for the possible evacuation of Germans and for this reason they sent soldiers to Cyprus. The German President noted his country’s desire to strengthen cooperation on defense, economy, and energy.
President Christodoulides, in his statements, expressed hope that the first official visit of the German President to Cyprus will contribute to further tightening the relations between the two countries.
“It has been 35 years since the fall of Berlin. My hope and pursuit is that soon we will have the opportunity to celebrate the reunification of Cyprus, Nicosia, the last divided capital of Europe,” said President Christodoulides.
He mentioned that they discussed bilateral relations, regional developments, energy, the European agenda, and Cyprus.
He thanked Germany for voluntarily accepting over 1,000 asylum seekers from Cyprus.
He also expressed satisfaction with the close cooperation between the two countries on culture, migration, defense, health, and tourism and said that the strategic goal is to further expand cooperation.
During his visit, the German President, accompanied by N. Christodoulides, visited the center of Nicosia where they walked along the Green Line.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier also visited the headquarters of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus.
The UN posted on Platform X that the German President met with the special representative of the UN Secretary-General, head of UNFICYP Colin Stewart for an update on peace-building efforts on the island.
The German President was briefed on the Imagine program supported by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Additionally, the President of Germany had a meeting at the House of Representatives with the president of the body, Annita Demetriou, while in the evening he attended an official dinner hosted by President Christodoulides.
Today, President Steinmeier will visit Gymnasium Makarios III in Platy Aglantzias, where he will talk to students, and then will visit the Reception Center for Migrants in Kofinou, where he will be briefed by the Minister of Interior.
He will then proceed to the village of Lythrodontas, where he will be guided. A meal of the two Presidents will follow in the village of Kato Drys.
