Ambassador of France to Cyprus Jean Florent : "Paris ready to contribute in a Cyprus settlement"

Paris is ready to examine the possibility of contributing to the process for a Cyprus settlement, in case this is requested by the parties involved, Ambassador of France to Cyprus Jean Luc Florent said on Tuesday.

Speaking after a meeting with Averof Neophytou, the President of right-wing DISI party, in Nicosia, Florent underlined the importance of a Cyprus solution, both for Cyprus and the EU. He said that a Cyprus settlement is a UN-led process, but noted that it is in the interest of EU countries that the settlement will be in conformity, not only with the UN Security Council resolutions, but also with EU principles, values and law.

It is important a United Cyprus to be functional and operational within the EU and not to put decision-making at stake, the Ambassador said. Florent also spoke about the existing window of opportunity and expressed hope that the prevailing momentum will bear fruit in the months to come.

Neophytou thanked France for its long-lasting support to the efforts for a Cyprus solution and asked Paris` support, while referring to the importance of EU contribution both to the settlement process and in safeguarding the functional nature of the country within the EU after a solution.

He said finally that he briefed the Ambassador on Cyprus` economic progress and expressed his confidence that 2015 will be the year of recovery.

Credit: KP Daily News