In a statement to the German newspaper “Rheinische Post”, the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz has outlined that efforts to solve the Cyprus problem should be concluded as soon as possible.

In the statement – which was also published in the Greek Cypriot newspaper Alithia – Schulz stated that for the first time, he detected in Ankara the sincere intention of Turkey and Greece regarding the settlement of the Cyprus issue.

Stating that the intensified negotiation process which is currently underway is an important development and that this process should be concluded as soon as possible, Schulz also noted that the European Union should contribute financially, as much as politically, to the island’s reunification.

According to Alithia’s report, Schulz stated that a solution to the Cyprus problem would be a “great message” for Europe in a difficult time.