President Nikos Christodoulides has underlined the particularly important role that the United Kingdom can play, both as a permanent member of the Security Council and as a guarantor power, and requested British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s personal contribution in support of the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to resume the negotiating process, according to Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis.
In a written statement, Letymbiotis referred to a meeting the President had late on Tuesday, 22 September (Cyprus time) with Burnham, on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, in the first one-on-one meeting between the two leaders since the British Prime Minister assumed office.
"During the meeting, the President of the Republic expressed his satisfaction with the substantive strategic content that Cyprus-UK relations have acquired and reiterated the Republic of Cyprus’ willingness to further upgrade them,” the Spokesperson said.
He added that the two countries maintain a broad and multidimensional relationship, extending from foreign policy, security and defence to the economy, investment, tourism, education and the particularly strong ties between the two peoples.
“In this context, President Christodoulides welcomed the intention for the fourth round of the Cyprus-United Kingdom Strategic Dialogue to be held at ministerial level in December, noting that it could constitute another substantive step towards further deepening and institutionally strengthening cooperation between the two countries,” Letymbiotis noted.
The two leaders also discussed issues concerning the British Bases in Cyprus.
The Republic of Cyprus is not involved in any military operation
The President of the Republic “reiterated that the Republic of Cyprus is not involved in any military operation and stressed that the security of Cyprus and the population on the island, as well as relations with the states of the region, must be taken seriously into account when any decisions concerning the British Bases are made.”
Efforts towards the Republic of Cyprus’ full accession to the Schengen Area were also discussed. “President Christodoulides referred to the significant progress achieved and to the positive report by the European Commission, noting that the Republic of Cyprus is working with the member states and the Commission with a view to securing the political decision as soon as possible,” the Spokesperson continued.
Particular emphasis was placed on the Cyprus issue. “The President of the Republic briefed the British Prime Minister on the latest developments and on the efforts being made to create the conditions for the resumption of substantive negotiations from the point at which they were interrupted, on the basis of the agreed framework and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions,” he noted.
President Christodoulides, Letymbiotis said, underlined the particularly important role that the United Kingdom can play, both as a permanent member of the Security Council and as a guarantor power, and requested Burnham’s personal contribution in support of the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to resume the negotiating process.
According to Letymbiotis, European Union-United Kingdom relations were also discussed. The President of the Republic referred to the particular priority that the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU had given to further strengthening this strategic relationship and to the substantive results achieved during its term.
The two leaders exchanged views on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the broader Middle East. The President of the Republic underlined the importance of closer strategic coordination between Cyprus and the United Kingdom for regional security and stability, building also on the experience gained through their cooperation in humanitarian operations.
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 due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.
(Source: CNA)
