Brussels, 30/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - On a visit to Cyprus, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy stressed the importance of resolving the Cypriot problem. “The status quo is no option. The time to act is now. Cyprus can create one of these defining moments in the life of nations”, he said on Sunday 28 May, stressing that the island has been divided for nearly 38 years.
“Overcoming a deep, decades old, intractable problem will not happen miraculously. Behind words like 'solution' and 'settlement' we are ultimately talking about ending a civil war and establishing peace. This will require strong political will and a sense of compromise on both sides …. On both sides, there are arguments and omissions, good intentions and mistakes”, said the president of the European Council, calling on both sides to spare no efforts in paving the way for a solution, towards a “united Cyprus”. Pointing out that the situation was difficult in 1974, difficult in 2000 and that if nothing changes, it will still be difficult in 2025, Van Rompuy said that “nobody should be a prisoner of the past” and called on Cyprus to “choose a different future”.
The president of the European Council said that just as France and Germany had come together 60 years ago over coal, the reconciliation of Cyprus could start with the sharing and sales of major reserves of gas discovered in the waters of the country.
Van Rompuy also reiterated the European Council's “strong” support for the Cypriot Presidency, in the face of threats from Turkish politicians to boycott the Presidency. “The Presidency … must be respected by all”, he stressed. (CG/transl.fl)