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- Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos called Cyprus a reliable UK partner and said bilateral relations are at their strongest in recent years.
- Kombos said Cyprus supported Gaza humanitarian aid and evacuated thousands of foreign nationals from conflict zones through the island.
- UK Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to a just, lasting settlement based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation under UN auspices.
- Speakers from across parties and the National Federation of Cypriots urged renewed negotiations and a more active UK role as Guarantor Power.
British political parties have unanimously reaffirmed their support for resolving the Cyprus issue in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions during an event held at the UK Parliament to mark the anniversary of the 1974 Turkish invasion.
The annual gathering was jointly organised by the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK and the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Cyprus, with Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos delivering the keynote address.
Dozens of MPs from across the political spectrum attended the event, highlighting the growing strategic partnership between Cyprus and the United Kingdom.
Kombos highlights strategic partnership
Kombos described Cyprus as a reliable UK partner and a bridge between Europe and the Middle East.
He said bilateral relations are at their strongest level in recent years, pointing to the close cooperation between Nicosia and London during the Middle East crisis.
The Foreign Minister highlighted Cyprus’ role in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and facilitating the evacuation of thousands of foreign nationals from conflict zones through the island.
He also said Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union had helped strengthen ties between the UK and the EU, citing the Gibraltar agreement and the participation of a British minister in an informal EU Council meeting.
On the Cyprus issue, Kombos reiterated that the Republic of Cyprus is ready to resume meaningful negotiations immediately within the framework of UN Security Council resolutions. He added that further progress depends largely on Turkey’s approach towards the European Union, the international community and international law.
UK reaffirms commitment to UN process
UK Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty described UK-Cyprus relations as stronger than ever and praised the contribution of the Cypriot community in Britain.
He thanked Cyprus for its humanitarian role during the Gaza crisis and for assisting with civilian evacuations from conflict areas.
Doughty also congratulated Cyprus on its successful EU Council Presidency and reaffirmed that the United Kingdom, as a Guarantor Power, remains committed to achieving a just and lasting settlement based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality under UN auspices.
Opposition voices support
Conservative Shadow Europe Minister Wendy Morton highlighted the long-standing ties between the two countries in defence, trade, education and regional security, while praising the contribution of the British Cypriot community.
She stressed that the consequences of the 1974 Turkish invasion continue to affect thousands of families and reaffirmed that the United Kingdom does not recognise the self-declared Turkish Cypriot administration in the occupied north of Cyprus.
Morton also expressed hope that confidence-building measures would create the conditions needed for meaningful progress in negotiations.
Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney echoed that position, saying her party continues to support a solution based on UN resolutions more than five decades after the invasion.
Call for renewed negotiations
Former APPG for Cyprus chair Sir Roger Gale described the continued occupation of part of Cyprus as unacceptable and said negotiations should resume from where they were suspended rather than starting from scratch.
He said he believes goodwill still exists on both sides and argued that the objective should remain “one island, one state, one president”.
National Federation of Cypriots President Christos Karaolis called on the UK to play a more active role in efforts to restart negotiations, citing its responsibilities as a Guarantor Power, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a co-author of key Cyprus resolutions.
Karaolis also expressed support for UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ efforts to restart negotiations this year and said any settlement must be based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, one sovereignty, one international personality and one citizenship, fully aligned with EU law and international law.
Also read: Guterres’ upcoming Cyprus visit “highly significant”
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