The Cyprus problem and the effect Brexit will have on the UK Cypriot community were at the heart of discussions Greek Cypriot Labour MP for Enfield Southgate, Bambos Charalambous had in Cyprus.
Mr Charalambous met with the delegation of AKEL at the party’s offices in Nicosia, headed by General Secretary Andros Kyprianou. Present amongst others were member of the Central Committee Secretariat of AKEL Christos Alekou and the party’s spokesperson, Stefanos Stefanou with whom he exchanged views on the rapid developments with regards to Brexit as well as the Cypriot community’s concern for the Cyprus issue.
Furthermore, Mr Charalambous met with Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, prior to his departure for New York for critical meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Labour MP briefed the Minister on the efforts of the Greek Cypriot community in the UK to highlight the Cyprus problem and condemn the Turkish provocations to the British decision-making bodies. At the same time, he was briefed on the initiative by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Cyprus, Jane Holl Lute, to reignite the negotiations for the solution of the problem.
Moreover, he had a constructive meeting with the leader of ruling party DISY, Averof Neophytou, at DISY’s headquarters in Nicosia.
Mr Charalambous also met the British High Commissioner to Cyprus, Stephen Lillie, with whom he discussed prospects for settlement of the Cyprus problem and the effect of Brexit.
Very useful was the meeting with a large delegation from the Turkish Cypriots Teachers Union, KTOS. KTOS organised dynamic protests against the policy of the Turkish government to spread Islam in the occupied part of Cyprus, and now is considered a symbol of resistance against such policies.