France does not favours permanent derogations from the EU acquis as part of a settlement to the Cyprus problem, Harlem Desir Minister of State for European Affairs told Cypriot Mps currently visiting Paris.
According to an official press release, Desir`s comments were made during a meeting with a delegation of the Franco-Cypriot parliamentary friendship committee in the House of Representatives who is visiting Paris at the invitation of the French Senate.
Desir reaffirmed his country`s vivid interest and unwavering support to the negotiating process for a just, viable and mutually agreed solution in the context of the UN and the EU law.
Underlying the need for a more active EU involvement in the negotiating process, Desir made clear his country does not favour permanent derogations from the EU aqcuis.
Desir also highlighted the importance of energy and the energy transition for the EU, as well as the need for the exploitation of all advantages offered by the Eastern Mediterranean region. In this context, Desir reaffirmed French TOTAL`s interest in participating in the energy developments in the region.
Apart from Desir, the Cypriot delegation held separate contacts with the President of the Franco-Cypriot friendship group in the French Senate Didier Marie and the members Simon Sutour , Nelly Tocqueville and François Commeinhes. They also attended a working lunch hosted by the President of the Franco-Cypriot friendship group in the French National Assembly Alain Bocquet.
In his remarks during the meetings, Averof Neofytou, President of the Franco-Cypriot parliamentary Friendship group in the Cypriot Parliament and Chairman of the European and Foreign Affairs Committee referred to the Cyprus problem noting that some convergences have been achieved in the ongoing talks but underlined the solution of basic aspects of the Cyprus problem, namely security, territorial adjustments, property and the issue of Turkish settlers, brought to Cyprus following the 1974 Turkish invasion is up to Turkey.
Reaching agreement, he noted, warrants the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation troops from Cyprus and the abandoning of its insisting claim for maintaining the system of guarantees post settlement and meddling in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.
Referring to the economy, Neofytou said despite that a harsh economic adjustment programme has been imposed on Cyprus including an unprecedented bail in of unsecured banking deposits, Cyprus implemented the programme achieving positive results. In 2015 Cyprus will register one of the highest growth rates in the EU and will exit the programme in 2016, he added.
