03:58Germany: 'We will not let up in our efforts to continue supporting Ukraine' – Scholz welcomes Cypriot president to Berlin
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that his country and its EU allies would 'not let up in our efforts to continue supporting Ukraine' as he welcomed Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to Berlin on Thursday.
"We have also talked today about the major challenges that we are facing together in Europe right now. This applies in particular to the Russian attack on Ukraine," he said.
"Germany and Cyprus, together with our partners in the EU, are standing closely by Ukraine's side here, and we will not let up in our efforts to continue supporting Ukraine -politically, financially, humanitarian and, of course, with weapons," he added.
While Kiev has welcomed the EU’s backing in the conflict with Russia, Moscow has repeatedly accused Western nations of interfering and escalating the situation, saying that any weapons deliveries will only prolong the fighting and won’t change the outcome.
Christodoulides thanked his host for the 'very constructive conversation', saying it was one of his first visits since he was elected in February.
"This is a clear sign on our part that we want to work together even more closely and that there should be a further strengthening of our relations with Germany," he said.
The Cypriot leader added that their conversation had included the 'migration issue', with the country one of the top EU destinations for asylum claims.
"More than six per cent of the current population of the Republic of Cyprus are migrants," he said. "Finally, I would like to express once again my pleasure to be here and I would like to thank you for our excellent co-operation.”
Meanwhile, Scholz also commented on the current state of the German economy, describing prospects as 'very good', praising 'full employment' and stating that the skills shortage would also addressed with the 'Skilled Worker Immigration Act'.
03:58German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that his country and its EU allies would 'not let up in our efforts to continue supporting Ukraine' as he welcomed Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to Berlin on Thursday.
"We have also talked today about the major challenges that we are facing together in Europe right now. This applies in particular to the Russian attack on Ukraine," he said.
"Germany and Cyprus, together with our partners in the EU, are standing closely by Ukraine's side here, and we will not let up in our efforts to continue supporting Ukraine -politically, financially, humanitarian and, of course, with weapons," he added.
While Kiev has welcomed the EU’s backing in the conflict with Russia, Moscow has repeatedly accused Western nations of interfering and escalating the situation, saying that any weapons deliveries will only prolong the fighting and won’t change the outcome.
Christodoulides thanked his host for the 'very constructive conversation', saying it was one of his first visits since he was elected in February.
"This is a clear sign on our part that we want to work together even more closely and that there should be a further strengthening of our relations with Germany," he said.
The Cypriot leader added that their conversation had included the 'migration issue', with the country one of the top EU destinations for asylum claims.
"More than six per cent of the current population of the Republic of Cyprus are migrants," he said. "Finally, I would like to express once again my pleasure to be here and I would like to thank you for our excellent co-operation.”
Meanwhile, Scholz also commented on the current state of the German economy, describing prospects as 'very good', praising 'full employment' and stating that the skills shortage would also addressed with the 'Skilled Worker Immigration Act'.