European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that Cyprus is safer because it is a member of the European Union.

“Since its accession to the EU in 2004, Cyprus is today a safer country precisely because it is a member of the European family”, she said.

She added that “Europe will never be whole so long as Cyprus remains divided. The division of an EU member state is not only a matter concerning Cyprus, but a European matter”.

Speaking on how the Cyprus problem can be resolved, she said “Europe must use the experience it has in bringing people together. The only way to reunite the island of Cyprus and its people is through communication, diplomacy and negotiation”.

“The only way is towards a sovereign European state, a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation under the auspices of the UN peace process and in a manner consistent with our European values”, she said.