Christodoulides and Starmer to discuss regional issues, Cyprus problem, bilateral ties in Nicosia

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to meet with President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia on 10 December, to discuss, among others, the Cyprus issue, bilateral relations and developments in the region.

The one-day working visit by the UK Prime Minister takes place in the framework of his tour of the region and is considered by the Cypriot Presidency as "a landmark in the close bilateral relations between the two countries given that this will be the first visit by a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in Cyprus on a bilateral level following the visit by then Prime Minister Edward Heath in 1971, while Prime Minister John Major’s visit in 1993 took place within the framework of the Commonwealth Summit."

Among the issues to be discussed at the meeting in the Presidential Manor, are the bilateral relations with emphasis on matters pertaining to the Strategic Dialogue between Cyprus and the UK, including issues relating to defense and security, education, culture, economy, commerce, investments and energy, the Presidency has said.

During their meeting, the Cyprus problem and the efforts to resume the negotiations are also expected to be discussed, while, among other issues to be discussed will be matters relating to Migration, the situation in the Ukraine and EU-UK relations.

Emphasis is expected to be placed on regional developments and the role that the Republic of Cyprus plays over time with regard to the provision of humanitarian aid, as well as recently through its «Amalthea» maritime corridor initiative, and issues concerning the evacuation of civilians from war zones. 

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 illegal Turkish invasion. Numerous UN-backed talks to reunite the island under a federal rood, failed to yield results.

The last round of negotiations took place in 2017 in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana.

(Source: CNA)