House President Annita Demetriou called on the United Kingdom to contribute constructively so that the Turkish side does not undermine efforts to resume negotiations.
According to a Parliament press release, Demetriou met on Wednesday with the new High Commissioner of the United Kingdom in Cyprus Irfan Siddiq. Pointing out the multiple challenges that Europe and the wider world face today, the President of the Parliament underlined Cyprus’ unwavering commitment to principles and to finding a fair and just solution to the Cyprus problem.
We expect, said Demetriou, “that the United Kingdom will support these efforts and contribute constructively, so that the Turkish side refrains from actions that undermine efforts to resume negotiations.”
The President of the Parliament stressed that Cyprus problem is a matter of violation of international law and legitimacy and must be resolved within the framework defined by the resolutions of the United Nations. She also criticized the instrumentalisation of irregular migrants from Turkey, who enter through the Turkish occupied territories to the Republic of Cyprus.
As stated in the press release, the British High Commissioner reaffirmed his country’s position and support of efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem on the basis of the agreed UN framework, underlining that the UK will continue to work in this direction.
The two sides also reaffirmed the close relations between Cyprus and the UK as well as the prospects for further strengthening them in a wide range of areas of common interest. In this regard, reference was made to the Cyprus-UK Memorandum of Strategic Cooperation signed by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries on Tuesday, as well as the first visit of the Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle to Cyprus, last February.
Demetriou also asked for the High Commissioner’s assistance with the problem of the increased cost for Cypriot students to study in the UK.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island`s northern third. Numerous rounds of talks under UN aegis to reunite the island under a federal roof failed to yield results.
Source: Cyprus News Agency