Statement by President Jean-Claude Juncker following his meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Anastasiades
It was exactly one your ago, yesterday, that I was elected by the European Parliament as President of the Commission. We did not celebrate it at the meeting of the College because I did not know it. I was elected on 15 July last year.
As happy anniversaries should be celebrated with family and friends I am delighted to celebrate this anniversary here in Cyprus, because I feel that Cypriots are both family and friends. I have asked the Commissioner coming from Cyprus, my good friend Christos, to be part of the party; I would like you Mr President to know that he is doing an excellent job in Brussels.
This is my first official bilateral visit to an EU MS since I became President of the Commission. I am not here because a conference is taking place, I am not here because someone had the idea to organise a Summit in Cyprus. I am here because I wanted to pay my first official visit to Cyprus because I feel very close to Cyprus by heart and by personal friendship to the President of the Republic. Coming from a small country I have a profound understanding for the problems, the constraints and needs of smaller entities. These are so many reasons why I feel happy to be here today.
Cyprus found itself in a difficult economic position in 2013. The Cyprus I am visiting today is very different from Cyprus in January, February 2013. The economy is beginning to grow, the financial sector has stabilised; this was not an easy thing to be done. I want to pay tribute to you, Mr President, dear Nikos, and to the people here for your commitment to the programme of recovery; tough decisions and commitment paid off in Cyprus as they did in Ireland, Portugal and Spain; and I hope that others will take note of that.
Cyprus today is a place of stability and of European values in - I have to say - a troubled part of the world. You are a stable actor because you are European and this is a source of benefits, but also of responsibilities, mainly of responsibilities. You are on the European Union´s front line and you can be an example to others; an example of growth, cooperation.
As far as the settlement negotiations are concerned I want to express the hope - not only my personal hope - but of all Europeans that we do take the opportunity we now have thanks to your efforts and to the efforts of the other leader to come to a good conclusion. This is a unique chance, a unique opportunity and we should not lose the momentum; and I am convinced that you are determined to put all the efforts which are needed into ways and means how to come to a good solution.
If this happens, and I am praying that this will happen, this will not only be a good news for Cyprus, this will be a good news for the entire European Union.
I would like to let you know that I am taking a personal, day by day interest in the developments which are happening under your leadership together with the efforts of your compatriots.
STATEMENT/15/5391
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