Commissievoorzitter Barroso: toenadering beide helften Cyprus hard nodig (en)

More than seven years after Cyprus' accession to the European Union a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem is overdue. A mutually agreed settlement will be the basis for the long expected reunification of the country and end one of the oldest conflicts on European soil.

In order to achieve this goal, a breakthrough in the talks is necessary. I am confident on the political will of the leaders of the two communities in making all the necessary efforts to progress towards a satisfactory final solution.

I warmly welcome all the efforts of the UNSG Ban Ki-moon and his representatives in reaching the goal and in particular, the initiative to meet the two leaders on 7 July in Geneva.

I call on both leaders to intensify the negotiations so as to ensure a successful outcome of this meeting and to rapidly take the next steps towards a settlement. They can count on the strong support of the European Commission. All the citizens of Cyprus and the European Union as a whole will benefit from a united Cyprus.