Jean-Claude Juncker, the EPP candidate for the next European Commission President, has commended efforts by the Cyprus government to lead the country out of the crisis “slowly but steadily”.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, welcoming Juncker to Nicosia, said the former PM of Luxembourg and ex Eurogroup President maintains a principled stance vis-a-vis the Cyprus problem, regarding it as a European problem.

President Anastasiades and Jean-Claude Juncker had on Saturday a working lunch, at the Presidential Palace.

In statements before the lunch, the President of Cyprus welcomed Juncker’s support for ongoing Cyprus talks, as well as to confidence building measures that may give an impetus to the dialogue, aimed at a political settlement in Cyprus, divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

President Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu are currently engaged in negotiations, that resumed in February this year, to reunite the country under a federal roof.

Juncker is a well respected European personality, a good personal friend and a friend of Cyprus, President Anastasiades noted.

He added that one of his attributes is that Juncker served as Prime Minister of a small European country, and is thus aware of the problems similar countries are facing – that they do not depend on industry, as much as tourism and services.

Juncker said he was happy to be back in Cyprus, noting that he always took a deep interest in everything concerning the country, when he was chairing the Eurogroup.

“I wanted to check here in Nicosia how much progress has been made” the EPP candidate said and commended the government for the way it is leading the country out of the crisis.

He added that a lot of things have improved, while the economy has proven to be more resilient.
Moreover, he noted that the adjustment program is working and that the government is doing everything in its capacity. Juncker said finally he is happy to see that there is solid ownership by Cypriot lawmakers and added that he will try to get a more complete picture of Cyprus during his stay.

Cyprus is currently implementing a 3-year fiscal adjustment program, following a bailout deal, reached last year with its international lenders, known as the Troika (European Commission, ECB, IMF).

The working lunch was also attended by Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides, Under Secretary to the President Constantinos Petrides and Democratic Rally President Averof Neophytou.