European Parliament Speaker Martin Schulz: Crucial months ahead for Cyprus, settlement near!

In an interview published last weekend, European Parliament Speaker Martin Schulz said that he has no doubt that even though a settlement of the Cyprus problem is ‘within touching distance’ there is still work to be accomplished and efforts to be done even after an eventual unification.

"Cypriots face some crucial months ahead of them. The chance for reunification has never been so close,” Schulz told the semi-state Cyprus News Agency in an interview.

"I will be in Cyprus to show the support of the European Parliament to the process being undertaken and publicly back both President Anastasiades and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Akıncı in the considerable efforts they are doing,” he added.

Schulz said that "the efforts being made by all sides to resolve the division in Cyprus are nothing short of remarkable. The speed and depth of the talks are impressive.”

Whilst in Cyprus, Schulz will hold meetings with leaders and representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties, at Ledra Palace under the auspices of the Slovak Embassy in Nicosia.

He will also visit the Anthropological Laboratory of the Committee on Missing Persons and will participate in a television debate with young Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots at the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation.

Credit: Famagusta Gazette