Around 200 guests attended a reception at the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in central London on Tuesday afternoon to mark the 64th anniversary of the country’s independence.
Other countries’ ambassadors, dignitaries and many members of the Cypriot diaspora in the UK were present to hear their host High Commissioner Dr Kyriacos Kouros welcome them.
In his address Dr Kouros pondered how Cyprus can truly celebrate when the world is in such a turmoil, with its immediate neighbourhood in flames and the Cyprus issue unresolved for half a century.
He referenced the global challenges recently pointed to by the UN Secretary-General and concluded that ‘we need more able people with integrity in positions in power.’
He then described Cyprus as ‘an anchor of stability in a turbulent area’, something proven by the Amalthea maritime corridor offered to the international community.
On the national issue, after outlining the position of the Republic of Cyprus for a bizonal, bicommunal federation as interna
tional resolutions stipulate, he said: ‘There is some movement now: the efforts of my government resulted finally in the appointment of a UNSG special envoy last January and a Trilateral Meeting with the UN Secretary-General is scheduled for next week in New York.’
He added that Cyprus counts on the support of the United Kingdom, as one of the guarantor powers for Cyprus and a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council.
Dr Kouros also included in his address the economic achievements of Cyprus despite the challenges of the previous years, the long-standing and close bilateral ties with the United Kingdom and he praised the Cypriot diaspora in the UK both for its contribution to British life and for remaining ‘true to its roots, its traditions and values’.
Source: Cyprus News Agency