Nicosia: Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos announced that the Strategic Dialogue between Cyprus and the United Kingdom has been finalised and is expected to take place towards the end of this year, following his meeting on Thursday at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office with the new Minister responsible for Europe, Lord Wood.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Kombos said that the meeting reaffirmed the two sides' intention to move forward with strengthening bilateral relations, building on steps initiated during his previous visit to London in July. Among other things, he stressed that the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries has now been 'agreed and finalised' and is expected to take place towards the end of the year. The two sides also discussed issues relating to preparations for the dialogue.
The Foreign Minister made particular reference to issues concerning the British Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus. He said that matters raised during previous contacts between the two sides were revisited, while new aspects were also discussed. According to Kombos, Nicosia is now seeking the establishment of an 'institutionalised, structured dialogue' aimed at resolving a number of issues related to the British Bases. 'We raised this on our part and we are awaiting the finalisation of a date for the commencement of precisely such a dialogue,' he said.
The latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue were also high on the agenda. Kombos briefed Lord Wood on Nicosia's approach following the recent visit by the UN Secretary-General, as well as on the efforts of the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy. The Foreign Minister reiterated Nicosia's willingness to resume substantive negotiations as soon as possible, on the basis of the agreed framework. At the same time, he called for the United Kingdom's 'active and consistent assistance and support' for efforts concerning the Cyprus issue, also highlighting Britain's role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
The two sides agreed to remain in close contact on the Cyprus issue, bilateral relations and matters concerning regional developments. 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. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.