Twelve members from both Houses of the British Parliament, representing all three parties, expressed Tuesday evening their full support to the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, expressing confidence that it will be successful.
During an event, organized by the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK to mark the assumption of the Presidency and the 38 years since the Turkish invasion, the MPs declared their support to the Cypriot case until the final vindication with a solution that would reunify the island.
“I am utterly, totally committed to the territorial integrity of Cyprus. Tonight we have an historic celebration but there is an unfinished business and I, together with my colleagues will not rest until that business is finished with the total territorial integrity of the island of Cyprus”, said speaking at the event historian and Labour MP, Gerald Kaufman.
Conservative MP, Minister for Transport Theresa Villiers, pointed out that “a very grave injustice was done against Cyprus in 1974 and this continues to today”.
“This is intolerable. We know all Cypriots would have to gain with a just, lasting, balanced solution to reunite the island. It is time for Turkey to comply with all those obligations with regard to Cyprus”, she stressed.
Speaking about the Cyprus Presidency, she said that “we should have a sense of pride that a country that has been the victim of another, more powerful country, is heading the EU and has a seat on the top table of international affairs”.
Saying that she is sure about the success of the Presidency, she added that there are many challenges ahead.
Lord Dykes of the Liberal Democrats expressed confidence in an excellent EU Presidency on behalf of Cyprus.
Most MPs who spoke, referred to the issue of missing persons in Cyprus, for which there was a protest outside the House, prior to the event in the House.
Some other MPs who have recently visited Cyprus’ northern Turkish occupied areas to learn about the state of Greek Cypriot churches and cemeteries, have stressed the difference between the southern government controlled areas and the occupied part, saying that while the Greek Cypriots take care of Turkish Cypriot holy places in the occupied areas they do not keep their promises.
Cyprus, an EU member since 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third, has assumed the EU Presidency on July 1st for a period of 6 months.