The President of the Republic, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, held a meeting this morning with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, at the Presidential Palace.
The British Prime Minister arrived at the Presidential Palace at 8:40 a.m., where he was welcomed by the President of the Republic as a military honour guard paid tribute. The national anthems of Cyprus and the United Kingdom were played, followed by the Prime Minister laying a wreath at the statue of Archbishop Makarios III.
A private meeting between the two leaders then took place.
Welcoming Prime Minister Starmer, the President of the Republic described the visit as historic, noting that it had been 53 years since the last visit of a British Prime Minister for a bilateral meeting. He also highlighted that the meeting followed closely after their previous discussions in London two months prior, reflecting their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. Christodoulides expressed the desire to enhance cooperation in areas such as defence, security, investments, trade, education, and technology.
The President further remarked that the visit came during a time of significant regional developments and that discussions would include ways to foster stability and security. He indicated that EU-UK relations would also be on the agenda, especially in view of Cyprus’s Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2026. Additionally, the Cyprus issue was to be a key topic, with Christodoulides emphasizing the UK’s role as a guarantor power and its influence in the United Nations Security Council to support the resumption of talks and the resolution of the Cyprus problem.
Prime Minister Starmer responded by expressing his appreciation for the opportunity to visit Cyprus, considering it a privilege to engage in what he called a historic meeting. He viewed the visit as a testament to his commitment to deepening the already strong relationship between the two countries, shaped by shared history and common interests. Starmer noted that both nations were working closely on various fronts, including international issues, trade, investments, energy, health, and EU matters. He expressed his intention to elevate the discussions and strengthen bilateral relations further.
Following their private meeting, the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom joined their delegations for expanded consultations before the British Prime Minister departed from the Presidential Palace, concluding his working visit to Cyprus.
Also read: Starmer visits Cyprus – First visit by a British PM in 53 years
Photo source: PIO
