Strasbourg, 04/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - Following meetings with representatives from the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, the leader of the European Parliament's S&D Group Hannes Swoboda (Austria) has called on the EU to take a greater part in resolving the Cypriot conflict. “The European Union should (…) play a stronger and more vocal role by nominating a high-level representative”, he said in a press release on 1 February, stating that, in order to deal with the international aspects of Cyprus' reunification, an international conference should be held. In Swoboda's view, following discussions with the representatives of the Turkish government and the Turkish Cypriot community, “Turkey is willing to support the solution-finding process for Cyprus”.
Swoboda also hoped that a joint declaration between the communities could soon be adopted in order to begin the discussions. “This joint declaration would be the basis for talks on the many open questions, as well as for additional confidence-building measures”, he said. “Both communities should find their place within a future state, but any federal construction must be compatible with EU laws and comply with the necessity of quick decision-making processes in the EU and eurozone”, he said. (CG/transl.fl)