Cypriot – German bilateral relations, the Cyprus problem, the country’s economic recovery, developments in Ukraine, and the situation in the South-eastern Mediterranean countries were the focus of Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides’ official visit in Berlin.

According to an official press release, during his contacts that included a meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Kasoulides briefed him on the new negotiation process, underlining the elements which render it unique and innovative.

He focused on the need to implement Confidence Building Measures within the framework of a parallel process that will contribute to the building of trust on behalf of the Greek Cypriots vis-à-vis Turkey.

Along those lines Kasoulides reiterated the benefits stemming from the implementation of the government’s proposal regarding the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, as a mutually-beneficial option.

The German side conveyed its support for the ongoing negotiation process, anticipating that the solution of the Cyprus problem will be beneficial for the people of Cyprus and contribute to the attainment of conditions of security and stability in the region of the South-eastern Mediterranean.

Regarding the Cypriot economy, Kasoulides briefed his interlocutors on the course of implementing the memorandum with the Troika, noting that the Republic of Cyprus remains committed to the full implementation of the programme’s provisions, something that will allow for speedier exit from the crisis and the country’s return to international markets.

He also informed them on the negative social repercussions arising from the unjust manner in which the Cypriot economy was treated in March 2013, giving particular emphasis on the high unemployment rates.

Kasoulides`s official visit to Berlin, at the invitation of his German counterpart, Frank – Wlater Steinmeier, and within the framework of the preparation of the forthcoming visit of the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, to Berlin in May, was concluded today.

During his stay in Berlin, the Minister had a meeting with the German Foreign Minister Steinmeier, and with the Presidium of the Bundestag’s German-Cypriot Parliamentary Group.

He held separate meetings with the Director-General of the Foreign Policy and Security Advisor to the Federal Chancellor, Christoph Heusgen, and the Director General for European Affairs at the Federal Chancellery, Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut.

Minister Kasoulides delivered a speech at the foundation Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, entitled “Geopolitics in Eastern Mediterranean: A Cypriot Perspective”.