The High Commissioner of the United Kingdom, Michael Tatham, shares his views on the current state of relations between the UK and Cyprus, the enduring tourism connection, a new situation as regards education and how the UK would like to see a long overdue settlement of the island’s division.
A number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and related agreements have been signed between Cyprus and the UK this year. How would you describe relations between the two countries at present?
Our relations are in a great place and there is an intensive rhythm of top-level dialogue. The UK Prime Minister and the President of Cyprus have met three times in the past year and the UK Foreign Secretary visited Cyprus last month. Those exchanges are underpinned by a Strategic Dialogue framework, which guides our growing cooperation in areas such as foreign policy, defence cooperation and tackling transnational crime and illicit finance. The UK hugely values its relationship with Cyprus. We have many shared interests and it feels to me as though we are like friends who help each other out in moments of need. To take two recent examples, the UK was extremely grateful for the excellent support provided by Cyprus during the evacuation of British nationals from Israel in June, while during the tragic wildfires here in July, firefighters and helicopter teams from the bases were quick to support their Cypriot colleagues in responding to the crisis.
Foreign Direct Investment from the UK to Cyprus has been growing over the years in various sectors, including, tech, real estate, financial and insurance services. What is driving this increase in investment?
Cyprus is clearly an attractive location for international investors and investment from the UK has risen significantly in recent years. Investors that I speak to often cite Cyprus’ role as a gateway into EU markets and the high quality of services sector support as significant incentives to investment. Specifically, in respect of the UK, I am struck by how strong people-to-people connections drive our growing trade relations. The UK and Cyprus are naturally compatible markets, sharing similar legal and accounting frameworks. The vibrant Cypriot diaspora in the UK makes a powerful contribution to business links, while historical links and the large number of Cypriots who have studied or practised professionally in the UK means that there is a good mutual understanding of our respective markets.
The UK remains the biggest source of tourism to Cyprus. What do you think are the main reasons why the island is still a preferred destination for British travellers?
It’s not hard to see why Cyprus appeals so much to UK tourists. It offers a huge variety of experiences in a compact area – great beaches, beautiful mountain villages, wonderful cuisine and an extraordinary cultural heritage. When I fly to and from the UK, I am struck by how my fellow passengers from the UK cover all different age groups – there is something for everyone in Cyprus.
Education was once a cornerstone of Cyprus-UK relations before Brexit impacted this exchange. Are there any plans or endeavours on the horizon to try and restore relations in this area?
It’s true that the number of Cypriots studying in the UK has dropped significantly as a consequence of Brexit and I worry about the long-term impact on our soft power strengths. We are trying to think creatively about how we can address this challenge, although it is not easy and it is something that affects all EU member states. However, there is a wider picture in respect of our educational links, in which there are a number of more positive trends. Some UK Universities offer scholarships or discounts to EU students that can reduce (and in some cases even eliminate) the gap between UK and international tuition rates. Some UK and Cypriot higher education institutions are partnering so that UK qualifications are available through studying in Cyprus and one such UK University – UCLan – has a physical campus in Cyprus. A number of schools in Cyprus use UK curricula or UK examination boards, so the overall picture in terms of educational links remains positive, despite the impact of Brexit on the volume of Cypriot students in the UK.
The UK and Cyprus have also signed agreements to strengthen the shipping sector. What strategies are being focused on to optimise relations in this sector?
The UK and Cyprus both have strong shipping sectors and we have a positive dialogue in this area. The Deputy Minister of Shipping paid a productive visit to the UK in June and we have shared priorities in areas such as the green transition and maritime welfare and safety.
After more than seven years at a standstill, efforts are once more being made to try and find an acceptable settlement of the Cyprus issue. As one of the three guarantor powers since 1960, what role can the UK play in facilitating a solution?
The UK takes its responsibilities as a guarantor power very seriously. We are fully supportive of UN-led diplomatic efforts to find a settlement and we took part in the recent meetings in Geneva and New York. We urge both sides to engage constructively on the follow-up to those meetings. We are encouraged by the progress that has been achieved on some of the trust-building initiatives and hope that this can be built upon and expanded in the period ahead. We are the penholder on Cyprus in the UN Security Council and in that role we aim to reinforce international support for UNFICYP and for UN-led diplomatic efforts. And the UK has for decades been a major troop contributor to UNFICYP, which plays a vital role in ensuring stability in Cyprus.
It’s now more than 50 years since the 1974 invasion and the many complexities surrounding the proposed reunification of Cyprus still remain. Are you of the view that the problem can still be resolved?
The UK firmly believes that a settlement is both possible and necessary. The division of the island is a tragedy that benefits no-one. The longer I serve in Cyprus, the more conscious I become of the costs of the current situation and the impact it has on holding back the island’s huge economic and human potential. The benefits of a settlement for Cyprus and the region would be huge. We believe that a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality represents the best basis for a settlement and that it is a sufficiently broad framework to accommodate the interests of both sides. The appointment of the Personal Envoy to the UN Secretary-General demonstrates that the commitment exists on the international side to finding a settlement. Her work, in the context of ongoing UN-led efforts, creates a meaningful opening for progress to which we hope both sides will respond constructively.
At the time of the Annan Plan for Cyprus, in 2004, there was talk of the UK giving up at least one of the Sovereign Base Areas in the case of a successful outcome. Is that idea still on the table or, given current geopolitical turbulence, do you think that the SBAs are more valuable to the UK than they were 21 years ago?
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review 2025 highlighted that the bases remain a vital strategic asset in the UK’s global defence posture. We believe that they make an important contribution to global and regional stability. Whilst I’m not going to get drawn into detail on hypothetical situations, I am confident that, in the context of successful settlement negotiations, we would always aim to play a constructive and enabling role.
How do you find living in Cyprus so far? Is it a big change from the other countries you have worked in and from the UK?
I am very much enjoying being UK High Commissioner to Cyprus. It is a wonderful country in which to live and it is very satisfying to see the bilateral partnership prospering. Above all, it is a privilege to be working in a country where the people-to-people links are so strong. I always say that it is like driving a car with a full tank of gas – it means you can go further, faster.
(Photo by TADOBI)
This interview first appeared in the September edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.
