UK Cypriots marked the annual ‘Cyprus Day’, an opportunity to commemorate the island’s troubled past and reaffirm their hopes for reunification, which coincides with the celebration of St Barnabas, the founder of Cyprus’ Orthodox Church.
In an event organised last Sunday, at the St Barnabas church in north London’s Wood Green, Cyprus’ Consul General in the UK Ioannis Koukoularides spoke of the “ecumenical significance” of the Cypriot Apostle.
He then referred to the latest developments in the ongoing talks between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots aiming at ending the Turkish occupation of the northern part of Cyprus and reunifying the island.
“While there has been common understanding achieved on a significant range of issues relating to the administration, power sharing, properties and the economy, it must be noted that there are still pending differences on the aforementioned issues. For example, there have been no substantive discussions whatsoever on two decisive chapters, that of the territorial readjustments and that of security and guarantees,” said the Cypriot Consul General.
The service was officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain, who stressed the importance of peace and “liberation”.
The event was attended by the Turkish local Mayor of Haringey Ali Gul Ozbek, who thanked his hosts and said he was impressed by the predominant message of “peace, coexistence, friendship and good neighbouring”.
Ozben also said he was proud to be the mayor of a borough that acts as a model of multiculturalism, with the Cypriot, Turkish, Kurdish and other communities contributing to the society and economy with their work, the equality between them, their culture and diversity.
Present was the local Labour MP Catherine West who expressed her joy for witnessing a celebration that “reaffirms the UK Greek Cypriots’ faith”. West also seized the opportunity to call on UK Cypriots to vote in the coming EU referendum on 23rd June and reject Brexit – the UK’s exit from the EU.
“We encourage, as the Labour Party, the citizens to vote, because this is a crucial issue. Others choose a populist kind of politics, but it is important to be in the EU for human rights, for working together, for all the good in this coexistence. Europe is facing lots of challenges and now it is not the time for Britain to distance itself. Now is the time to cooperate and deal with the common challenges such as immigration, the economic problems, the unemployment of the youth – it is not the time for fragmentation and alienation that could lead to future conflicts,” said the Labour MP.
West’s comments were echoed by the London-based President of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) Andreas Papaevripides: “I extend a warm call to all members of our community to get out to vote for the UK to stay in the EU on the 23rd June. It is of national importance to us, for what Cyprus is experiencing, the fact that we currently have an exceptional relationship with the UK. We need to maintain this relationship at the European Council. Therefore, we need to go and vote, that’s my message.”
A similar message was also sent by the Bishop of Tropaiou Athanasios, who said that UK Cypriots must not abstain from this crucial referendum. “Our voice must be heard; we have the right to vote but we also have an obligation towards not just those who live now but towards those who will follow us,” said His Grace.