House of Representatives’ President, Annita Demetriou asked on Friday for UK’s support to the new effort of the UN Secretary General on the Cyprus problem aiming at the the resumption of negotiations, during a meeting she had with the new UK High Commissioner to Cyprus, Michael Tatham, who, on his part, reaffirmed his country’s firm support for finding a Cyprus settlement, within the UN framework.
According to a press release issued by the House of Representatives, during the meeting Demetriou noted the close ties between Cyprus and the United Kingdom and the prospects for further strengthening the excellent cooperation between the two countries in a wide range of areas of mutual interest, both at the bilateral level and within the Commonwealth framework, with particular emphasis on the inter-parliamentary cooperation.
Referring to the current developments regarding the Cyprus problem, the House President underlined Nicosia’s commitment to the objective of resuming negotiations, within the United Nations framework with a view to reach a solution providing for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.
“We will never accept the Turkish side’s claim for a ‘two-state’ solution, as this would be tantamount to legitimizing the achievements of the Turkish invasion and ongoing occupation, nor any action aimed at recognizing the illegal entity of the occupied territories”, the President of the Parliament stressed.
She also noted that the continuous Turkish provocations in the buffer zone undermine efforts to reach a solution and reunification of Cyprus for the benefit of all Cypriots and the wider region.
Finally, Demetriou called on the United Kingdom, given its role as a guarantor power and as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, to provide all possible support, in the framework of the new initiative of the UN Secretary General, in this direction.
According to the press release, the British High Commissioner reaffirmed his country’s firm support for finding a solution within the UN framework, noting that the UK’s position is clear on the non-recognition of the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”. He assured the House President that the UK, as a guarantor country and permanent member of the UN Security Council, would continue to play a constructive role and work towards peace, security and prosperity for Cyprus and its people.
Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Tatham noted the special role of Cyprus, due to its geographical location and the very good relations it maintains with the countries of the region. He expressed his satisfaction for his country’s cooperation with Cyprus in the context of the Amalthea initiative for the transport of humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea and the UK’s appreciation for the facilitation provided by Cyprus in removing nationals of various countries from the war zone.
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 inconclusively.
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Source: CNA/MCH/MK/2024
