Times are very crucial for Greece and Cyprus is taking the lead in efforts to keep the country in the Eurozone, the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has stated on Monday.
Speaking upon his return at the Presidential Palace, after the end of today`s negotiations for a Cyprus settlement, at the UN-protected area of the Nicosia Airport, President Anastasiades said Cyprus was in favor of a “strong Greece” and spoke of the need of a program that will bring the country back to recovery and provide relief to the Greek people.
Moreover he said that his and the Finance Ministry`s initiatives were well-known, for a number of important issues, such as the viability of the debt.
We will do everything in our power, in order for Greece to stay in the Eurozone and in order to conclude a program that will help Greece in this direction, the President noted.
Asked if there is time to bridge the differences, Anastasiades said he hoped there was.
He said however that the referendum the Greek government has called, has halted negotiations and expressed hope to overcome this, with decisiveness on the part of the Greek Prime Minister and of the institutions.
The President said that proposals were necessary to help the Greek Premier negotiate a memorandum “with dignity” and away from a feeling of humiliation for the people or the government.
Asked about the course of today`s meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, in the framework of UN-led settlement talks, President Anastasiades said it was very productive and noted the progress made in important issues, while saying that the dialogue will continue.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. UN-led talks, aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof, resumed on May 15, this year.
