London: The British Foreign Office has conveyed its full alignment with the view of the Eastern Mediterranean's strategic significance, emphasizing its cooperation with the United States and the EU to support actions in the region. This was stated in a letter to the Council of British Cypriots regarding the importance of drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the British Foreign Office's communication also strongly reaffirms the United Kingdom's unwavering support for Ukraine. It describes the Russian invasion as an 'unprovoked, premeditated and barbaric attack' against a sovereign and democratic state. The UK is committed to achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine's security, sovereignty, and prosperity, working closely with Ukraine, the United States, and other allied countries.
The letter highlights international sanctions imposed on Russia since February 2022, which have deprived it of access to at least 450 billion dollars, equivalent to approximately two additional years of war financing. The UK alone has sanctioned over 2,900 individuals, entities, and vessels, with more than £20 billion under restrictions.
It also mentions recent sanctions against major Russian energy companies and networks allegedly aiding the illicit trade in Russian oil, aiming to cut off revenues for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The UK is collaborating with allies to diversify away from Russian energy, working closely with European countries, including Cyprus.
The British Foreign Office commends the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU for prioritizing Ukraine and acknowledges recent visits by President Nikos Christodoulides to Kyiv and Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Nicosia.
In its letter, responding to the Council of British Cypriots regarding drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean, the British Foreign Office reiterates its shared view of the region's strategic importance and cooperation with the United States and the EU.
The Council of British Cypriots, an organization promoting Cypriot interests in London and working to deepen bilateral relations, has previously addressed letters to senior British government officials and international figures involved in resolving the Cyprus issue, including the UN Secretary-General, Ant³nio Guterres. The letter was signed by Doros Partasidis, Giorgos Chatzipavlis, Marie Nikolsby, Antonis Savvidis, and Spyros Neophytou.