Germany ready to contribute to Cyprus issue efforts, Scholz says

Germany continues to support a federal solution in Cyprus on the basis of UN decisions, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday, noting that his country is ready to contribute to the efforts of the Cyprus issue and that all  parties involved must have good will.

The German Chancellor, who welcomed Greek Cypriot Leader Nikos Christodoulides in Berlin, on his first official visit to the country, said that Germany “continues to support a solution in which Cyprus will become a federal state, bizonal, where the two communities will be represented in the leadership of the state on the basis of UN decisions.”

Therefore, I would like the impasse of the negotiation process to finally gain new momentum,” he added.

Speaking through an intepreter, the German Chancellor said that “that, however, requires political courage on the part of all involved, and I don’t know whether the will is there by all sides.”

“We talked about it and we want to help. Germany is ready to contribute so that everyone gains more trust in each other and if this is desired we are happy to support this negotiation process.”

Referring to the Eastern Mediterranean, Scholz said that Germany would like good neighbourly relations, noting that the issues in the region can be resolved through dialogue and on the basis of international law. “After all, the relations between Cyprus and Turkey are important for the whole of Europe,” he said.
He also said that they agreed to cooperate even more closely in the future on issues including energy supply and defence cooperation.

In his statements, Christodoulides said that they discussed bilateral relations, European issues and the Cyprus issue, noting that he reiterated his readiness to resume the talks from where they left off in Crans Montana in 2017.

“The Cyprus problem is a European problem and its solution directly affects the EU as well,” he stressed.
Christodoulides also said that “Germany as one of the most important EU member states can contribute to this effort.”

He added that now is the time for diplomacy to work and that Germany’s role is important.
Christodoulides noted that the discussion was very constructive and, among other things, thanked Germany for helping Cyprus deal with the immigration problem, saying that Germany is one of the few EU countries that understands the issue.

In addition to the Cyprus issue, they also discussed bilateral relations, both expressing willingness to strengthen them, as well as immigration, energy, the Eastern Mediterranean, Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.

Source: CNA