London: London recognizes the strategic importance of the Eastern Mediterranean for energy security and the importance of developing renewable energy sources, while also respecting the sovereign right of the countries in the region to exploit their natural resources, according to the UK Minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty. He emphasizes that the UK supports the internationally recognized borders in the Eastern Mediterranean and encourages the resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the positions of the United Kingdom on peace and energy security in the Eastern Mediterranean, its cooperation with Turkey, and the situation in Ukraine are outlined in a reply letter from the Minister for Europe to the Board of British Cypriots.
Regarding UK-Turkey relations, the British official maintains that Ankara is a ‘crucial pillar’ of NATO’s collective defense. At the same time, he notes that the strengthening of Turkey’s defense capabilities contributes to the overall strength and cohesion of the Alliance. He reassures that London remains committed to the stability of the region, working with all partners to promote peace and security.
On the war in Ukraine, Doughty underlines that since 2022, Moscow has achieved only very marginal territorial gains at enormous human and economic cost. This includes over one million Russian soldiers killed or wounded, while the country’s state wealth has been halved, inflation is in double digits, and international sanctions have deprived Russia of more than $450 billion, as the British Minister for Europe stresses.
In closing his letter, Doughty thanks the Board of British Cypriots for its ongoing engagement with these issues and for its regular communication with British officials.
Doughty responded to the Board on behalf of the British Prime Minister, to a letter sent on 24 April.
The Board of British Cypriots is an organization that promotes Cypriot interests in London’s decision-making centers and the deepening of bilateral relations. It has addressed letters to senior officials of the British government, such as the British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and other international figures involved in the resolution of the Cyprus problem, such as UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres.
The letters of the Board are usually signed by Doros Partasides, Antonis Savvides, Spyros Neophytou, Marie Nicolsby, Elias Dinenis, Spyros Papacharalambous, Yiannis Stergidis, Stella Protopapas, Louie Loizou, George Chatzipavlis, Antonis Dimitriou, Elissa Xenophontos, Pantelis Demosthenous, Dr. Serafim Kyriakides, Nikos Savvides, Andreas Tambouridis, and Dr. Savvas Chatzifilippou.