Thirteen years after the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU, the country moves forward in a serious and consistent manner, participating actively and effectively in the Union, Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides has told CNA.

In a statement to CNA on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of Cyprus` accession to the EU, Christodoulides said that the country continues its efforts to use its capacity as an EU member state, with a view to further promote its interests, the interests of its citizens and the European vision.

In this context, he added, “we are making sincere efforts to reunite Cyprus, on the basis of the principles and values of the EU, which govern every modern and democratic state with full respect for the rights of all citizens.”

The EU proceeded thirteen years ago, on May 1st 2004, with its fifth and biggest enlargement ever, by welcoming ten more countries, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. UN-led peace talks are currently underway to find a negotiated settlement that would reunite the island under a federal roof.