Nicosia has stressed to the Director-General of the European Commission Structural Reform Support Service Maarten Verwey that any projects funded by the EU with a view to support the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus should aim at serving the goal of the reunification of the island and at bringing  its two communities closer.

CNA has learned that Verwey, who had meetings on Wednesday with government officials, discussed with them about the prospects for the resumption of the talks on the Cyprus problem and a more enhanced involvement of the EU in the efforts to solve it.

The EC official was received by Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades. Furthermore he had meetings with Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, Interior Minister Constantinos Petrides and Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis.

According to CNA information, Christodoulides and Verwey reviewed the implementation of the Green Line Regulation, while they also discussed about the prospects for the resumption of the negotiations on the Cyprus problem and about the involvement of the EU in this effort.

Among others, Christodoulides stressed the needs to address any problems regarding the sale of products from the government-controlled areas to the Turkish occupied areas of the island. The issue was raised as “taxes” are imposed on these products making them less competitive.

The programme of Verwey’s visit also included meetings with the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative in Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.

Cyprus, an EU member states since 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.

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