22/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - The president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, restated that the EU was ready to do whatever it takes to facilitate a solution in the reunification negotiations of Cyprus. “The settlement of the Cyprus issue is important for the EU as well. A comprehensive, just and viable settlement of the Cyprus issue, in line with UN Security Council resolutions, would not only allow unification of Cyprus but also send a strong positive signal to the whole region”, said Van Rompuy after a meeting with the Cypriot president, Demetris Christofias, on 21 January in Nicosia. Although talks between Christofias, and the head of the Turkish party in Cyprus, Mehmet Ali Talat, take place under the auspices of the UN, the “EU is following the process very attentively” and is ready to “provide all the advice and support possible to find a solution”, stressed Mr Van Rompuy. In the meantime, it was learned on Friday that the presidential elections in the northern part of Cyprus will be held on 18 April. (H.B./transl.jl)