Cyprus and UK “on same page” on the Cyprus issue, says President Christodoulides (video)

Cyprus and the UK are “on the same page” with regards to the Cyprus issue, the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Christodoulides has said, following a meeting in Downing Street with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The Cyprus issue was one of the main topics of discussion during the 40-minute meeting on 14 October, the first between the two leaders.

As President Christodoulides said, his visit was “important and timely”, as tomorrow evening he will attend a dinner organised by the UNSG in New York, also involving the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.

The Cypriot leader told his host that he counts on the UK support, with the county having a role of “defining importance” to play as one of the guarantor powers of Cyprus, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the penholder for Cyprus-related resolutions at the UN.

“I am glad to have heard (by PM Starmer) that there can be no settlement of the Cyprus issue outside the framework defined by the resolution of the UN Security Council,” President Christodoulides said in a statement in front of Number 10.

Asked whether he detected a willingness on the UK side for a more active engagement if progress is achieved, he said that there is a desire by the new British government to strengthen the bilateral relation and partnership, and that this includes the prospect of resuming negotiations towards a Cyprus settlement.

The Cypriot delegation, including inter alia Foreign Minister Kombos and Government Spokesman Letymbiotis , departed Downing Street for a London airport, for the important journey to New York.

Asked about his thoughts and feelings before this flight, the Cypriot President said: “I can say with confidence that I go to New York to do whatever possible for a positive outcome. For us a positive outcome can be nothing else but the resumption of substantive talks to resolve the Cyprus issue. We know very well here we want to head, what our aims are and we are ready to resume talks. Only if we sit at the table will we be able to see with more certainty the prospects for a resolution. For us the status quo cannot be a solution.”

He also stressed that the UNSG has convened this meeting amid two wars, in a clear sign of his “strong will and commitment” to moving things forward.

The two leaders also shared their willingness to further enhance the “very good” and wide bilateral relations, such as in defence, but also, as President Christodoulides noted, to explore prospects of their expansion in other areas.

The regional challenges were also discussed, with the Cypriot leader stating his concern about the conflict in the Middle East. He added that he discussed with PM Starmer the need for an international initiative for ceasefire as a first step.

He was thanked for the Cypriot humanitarian maritime corridor to Gaza, and he thanked the Prime Minister for the UK being the first country to support the initiative.

President Christodoulides also extended an invitation to Sir Keir Starmer to visit Cyprus, noting that the last official visit by a UK Prime Minister took place in 1993.

Welcoming the Cypriot leader to Downing Street, Starmer hailed the historical bilateral links “between countries and between people”, speaking of a “proud” Cypriot community in the UK that contributes to strengthening the country.

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 conclusively. 

(Source: CNA)