The President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, expressed her gratitude to Mario Nava, the Director-General of the European Commission's Structural Reform Support Service (DG REFORM), for his work for Cyprus, during a meeting they had on Thursday, as he moves to the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. Nava's portfolio included measures to support the Turkish Cypriot community.

Demetriou thanked Nava for his efforts over the years and wished him success in his new position. She noted their shared views and emphasized the need to invest in peace, stability, and prosperity, especially at this time. She expressed Cyprus' gratitude for Nava's achievements and his support for the island's reunification and the resolution of the Cyprus issue.

In his remarks, Nava highlighted several significant projects accomplished in Cyprus over the past four years. He mentioned that one of the most substantial efforts towards reunification was the training of 4,000 Turkish speaking workers in Greek and English, as part of a comprehensive program.

Nava acknowledged the considerable progress made in the last four years compared to the past, citing visible improvements in areas such as halloumi cheese production, the one-stop shop for Green Line trade, and the increase in trade across the Green Line.

He also noted that cooperation with Cyprus would continue within the framework of the European Social Fund.

Demetriou gave Nava a commemorative gift featuring the sun, the symbol of the House of Representatives, mentioning that it represents optimism for what could be achieved.

Meanwhile, according to a press release by the House of Representatives, during their meeting they discussed about the  aspects of the Cyprus problem concerning the need to strengthen the building of trust between the two communities in Cyprus, as well as the need to restart talks with the aim of a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

In addition, Nava referred to the plan for the creation of a bi-communal solar park, as well as the hope created by the trade  activity between the two communities in the direction of creating common ground for the resumption of talks, citing as an example halloumi. The contacts between the two sides, he said, show that the society has the will for the reunification of the island.

Demetriou, welcomed the institutional initiatives taken by the European Union to create a climate of trust and promote the solution of the Cyprus issue and stressed the need to restart the talks in this direction, underlining that she considers as unacceptable the Turkish claim for "a solution two states" in Cyprus, as well as the refusal of the Turkish side to even meet or start a dialogue. 

They also discussed about the upcoming european elections. The President of the Parliament pointed out the need for a collective participation of citizens in the election process so that they vote in favor of the European idea, thus limiting extreme political positions and rhetoric.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.