President tells Charles Michel he will pursue more active EU involvement in Cyprus talks

President Nikos Christodoulides has briefed the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, on his intention to pursue a more active and substantive involvement of the EU in efforts to break the deadlock and resume talks for a Cyprus settlement.

According to the Presidency, during a telephone conversation, Michel congratulated the President on his election and expressed his will for close and productive cooperation in the framework of the European Council.

On his part, President Christodoulides thanked Michel for his wishes and briefed him on his priorities based on his governance programme. These included his intention to pursue a more active and substantive involvement of the EU, both in efforts to break the deadlock and to resume talks for a Cyprus settlement; an issue which the Cyprus President will discuss in detail with Michel and the Presidents of the other EU institutions as well as his counterparts during a forthcoming visit to Brussels.

Christodoulides briefed Michel about his recent meetings with the Turkish Cypriot leader and with the UNSG's Special Representative in Cyprus, as well as the forthcoming visit of a high ranking UN official to Cyprus.

He also expressed his aspiration for a speedy implementation of the provision of the European Council Conclusions issued in February, to draft an action plan about the Eastern Mediterranean migration route in cooperation with the affected member states.

Also the two Presidents had the opportunity to review the agenda of the European Council meeting that will take place on 23 and 24 March, which includes, among other, the competitiveness of the European economy, the Ukraine issue, Energy and migration.

(Source: CNA)