The President of the Republic and the Chancellor of Germany
responded to questions by
reporters
The EU must allow each of its member-states the freedom
to choose separately, without ignoring the EU policies, the measures which will
not create situations that aggravate the economy of their own country, the
President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, said today, with regard to the
imposition of sanctions against Russia on the issue of Ukraine.
The President of the Republic, who was speaking in
Berlin at a joint press conference with German Chancellor, Mrs Angela Merkel,
added that, nevertheless, “this does not mean that certain sanctions should not
be taken into consideration if they are necessary. There should simply be the
tactful practices of each member-state.”
On her part, Mrs Merkel, in response to a question as to how the
package proposed by the President, which includes the city of Famagusta, is
assessed, and also with regard to the energy resources in the Mediterranean, how
she views the issue for the supply of Europe and for cooperation with Cyprus,
said, speaking through an interpreter, that “for success on the Cyprus issue and
the negotiations on the Cyprus issue it is important that the EU undertakes an
active role. We must look at the following: This process can be completed only
once the entire island becomes a member of the EU. It has to do with the
negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations and for the formulation
(of the solution) to be such as to be compatible” with the acquis.
She added that the confidence-building measures will be
helpful and “obviously can contribute to the better conduct of the
negotiations.”
