NICOSIA, Cyprus - People in North African and Middle East countries should decide their own future through peaceful and democratic means, Cypriot President Demetris Christofias said on Wednesday.

"The reform and transition process is a sovereign issue of these people and there should be no foreign intervention," he said after a working breakfast with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy.

Cyprus' position remains that the decisions for the future of these people should be taken by them through peaceful and democratic means.

"Possible involvement of the EU should be limited to instances where such a request is put forward by the said countries," he said.

He also called for "better coordination and cooperation" between EU members and advised them to avoid making rushed decisions.

Van Rompuy arrived in Cyprus for a brief visit, during which he discussed with Christofias the financial crisis, the latest developments in the region and the Cyprus problem.

Xinhua