Democratic Rally (DISY) leader Annita Demetriou called for more substantial European Union involvement in the Cyprus problem after meeting UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin, including pressure on Turkey, in which context she said the opening of Famagusta could be discussed.
Demetriou said she was very concerned that the progress required under the UN Secretary-General’s guidance was not being made. That progress, she said, was needed to move to the next step, a new informal meeting in the 5+1 format, before the end of his term.
She said Holguin had briefed her on her efforts and her recent contacts in Cyprus.
The current moment had to be seized, Demetriou said, and the coming days had to produce concrete results. What had been achieved in negotiations so far must not be lost, she said, and nor must the prospect of a solution.
More substantial EU involvement was needed especially now, with a clear message and pressure on Turkey, she said. If Turkey wanted its European aspirations to progress, it must abandon its intransigence and contribute constructively to the current effort. “In this context, for example, the issue of opening Famagusta could also be discussed,” she said.
The time for assessments had passed, Demetriou said, adding that initiatives, strategic moves and, above all, results were needed.
