Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides on Monday called on Germany to help the island overcome its decades-long division, since Berlin maintains better relations with fellow NATO member Turkey, Deutsche Welle reported.
Christodoulides discussed the issue at a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was the first German president to visit Nicosia.
“Our message is that the solution lies in Ankara,” Christodoulides said after the meeting.
Steinmeier said Turkey’s actions on the island of Cyprus should be taken into account when assessing its overall relations with the European Union.
“Member states should send this message to Turkey,” he said.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, with a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north. This division occurred when Turkey deployed troops to the island following a coup attempt aimed at unifying Cyprus with Greece. Turkey continues to maintain over 30,000 troops in the northern part of the island, which is recognized only by Turkey.
Steinmeier said Germany supports a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution to the Cyprus problem based on UN parameters.
“It is high time to work with renewed courage on a solution to the Cyprus question,” Steinmeier said.