Cyprus and UK leaders pledge to strengthen bilateral ties

Cyprus and the United Kingdom have pledged their intention to strengthen bilateral relations, the countries' two leaders stressed during a meeting at the Presidential Palace, the first time a British Prime Minister has visited Cyprus for a bilateral meeting in 53 years.

Speaking at the beginning of their tête-à-tête meeting, before expanded talks, the two underlined the opportunity to hold the meeting in Cyprus only two months after President Nikos Christodoulides visited 10 Downing Street with Prime Minister Keir Starmer adding that it is a statement of his intent that the already strong relationship and partnership between the two countries can be taken to an even stronger level.

In his remarks, Christodoulides said "indeed this is a historic visit, 53 years since the last visit of the UK Prime Minister for a bilateral meeting."

He also said that this meeting takes place two months after the two men's meeting in Downing Street, "and this is a clear testament of our strong political will to work together to advance our bilateral relations from defence, security, investments, trade, education, technology, at all levels."

The Cyprus President told Starmer he is visiting Cyprus during a period that there are "major developments in our region", noting the two "will exchange notes and see how we can work together to create conditions of stability and security. Of course, we will discuss the EU-UK relations and also the second presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026."

President Christodoulides said the Cyprus problem will be included in the discussions as "the UK is a guarantor power is a pen-holder at the UN Security Council resolutions, and you have a special role to play for the resumption of talks and the solution of the Cyprus problem in line with the UN Security Council resolutions."

"So we have a number of very important issues to discuss. Looking forward to our discussions," he concluded. 

Speaking before the meeting, Starmer thanked President Christodoulides, saying that it is a "real privilege to be here" and that after the meeting in London in October they were "able to get this historic meeting together as quickly as we did."

"Please take it as a statement of my intent that our really strong relationship, partnership between our countries, strong historically, strong because of the ties that we've had, people to people for many, many years, common interests, could be taken to an even stronger level between us," said Starmer.

"Whether it's on the world issues that we face together, whether it's on trade and investment and energy, health, there are very many issues where our countries are already working so closely together, EU reset, there are so many things that we have to discuss," Starmer added.

He noted it is an "opportunity" to be here in Cyprus and "historic because it's been far too long since a Prime Minister has been here for discussions, I feel privileged to be here, for being the first Prime Minister for some time to sit here and have these discussions with you and to take them to another level. So much looking forward to renewing and strengthening the ties between our two countries," he concluded.

The two leaders participated in an expanded meeting with delegations from both countries before the Prime Minister departed, concluding his visit to the island.

(Sources: CNA/PIO)