The fact the Republic of Cyprus has an upgraded role, following its election at the UN Human Rights Council and the hosting of the MED9 Summit, on Friday, in Pafos, strengthens our effort and our argumentation in relation to the need to reach a functioning and viable Cyprus settlement, for a country that is an EU member state and which will continue to have an ever stronger role in the region, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday.