The Cyprus problem at the heart of AKEL’s meeting with the French Ambassador in Cyprus
Cyprus News Agency CNA, 15th December 2016
France wants a solution to the Cyprus problem, said the French Ambassador in Cyprus, Rene Troccaz, adding that his country stands on the side of the Republic of Cyprus.
Mr. Troccaz met the General Secretary of the Central Committee of AKEL Andros Kyprianou this morning at AKEL’s central offices, with whom he discussed the Cyprus problem.
In statements to the press after the meeting, the General Secretary of AKEL said that he had a very friendly and constructive discussion on the Cyprus problem with the French Ambassador.
“We exchanged views on the current phase of the Cyprus problem and also discussed the prospects, as well as issues related to the convening of an International Conference on Cyprus. For AKEL, it is clear that this international conference must only and solely discuss the issues relating to security. Any other issues related to the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem cannot be discussed. The internal aspect of the Cyprus problem is an issue which must be resolved between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots”, Andros Kyprianou added.
Mr. Kyprianou also said that they also discussed substantive, as well as procedural issues.
“I want to thank my friend the French Ambassador for the steadfast position of principles on the basis of which France supports the efforts we have been making for many years to solve the Cyprus problem. It is not an exaggeration to say that France during all critical moments was always at our side from positions of principle, not because it is fond of us because we are Greek Cypriots, but because France believes that we have justice on our side. This is extremely important for us. I therefore want to thank him and I am sure that in difficult times as well that will follow next year France will be at the side of Cyprus once again”, he added.
The French Ambassador in his own statements said that he agrees with what the General Secretary of AKEL stated.
“I want to thank Andros Kyprianou who is a friend. France, the French President also stated when he came to Cyprus last week, is standing at the side of the Republic of Cyprus”, he added.
France, he continued, wants a solution of the Cyprus problem.
“This solution, first of all, it is a matter for Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, but we also have some responsibilities as an EU member country which constitutes a very important dimension of the solution of the Cyprus problem. The Cyprus problem is also a European issue and not only an issue of the United Nations because Cyprus is an EU member-state. Of course it is a negotiation which is taking place under the auspices of the United Nations and in this context France, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, wants to help. We said it, we reiterate it and as a fact for me we had a very interesting discussion with Andros Kyprianou on these issues”, noted the French Ambassador.
Replying to a question as to whether France will attend the Geneva Conference and at what level, the French Ambassador said that this is something we must see.
“We have stated what our intentions are. We do not assert anything. All we want is to be useful and to help to solve the Cyprus problem. Within this context of course the EU has the first word. Right now the EU Summit is taking place and President Anastasiades will seek the support of the other EU countries and the backing of France, which is given. Secondly, there is this meeting in Geneva, and we have said that we are at the disposal of all parties to help as a country that is a UN Security Council member. This does not depend on us. What we have said, what we have expressed is our desire to help”, he concluded.
