- “The President of the Republic of Cyprus is ready to return to negotiations to reunify Cyprus but all preparations for the talks must be thorough if we are to see a successful outcome.” – Cypriot Government Spokesperson, Prodromos Prodromou said to British MPs.
- MPs and Peers, including Government and Shadow Ministers, express their strong, and cross-party, support for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue, including the abolition of guarantees and the removal of Turkish troops.
The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK and the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Cyprus held its annual Parliamentary Reception for Cyprus last night to mark the 44th anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion and occupation of July 1974. During the event titled, ‘Cyprus: Prospects for a Solution‘ the Government Spokesperson of the Republic of Cyprus, Prodromos Prodromou, updated a full house of Parliamentarians and members of the UK Cypriot community about the latest developments on the Cyprus issue.
Mr Prodromou spoke about the latest developments on the Cyprus issue, mainly that the United Nations Secretary General has appointed Jane Holl Lute as the UN’s new special envoy on Cyprus. Mr Prodromou also conveyed President Anastasiades’ readiness to resume talks to reunify Cyprus from where the negotiations were left and based upon the framework set out by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres. He also emphasised the need for thorough preparation for any talks in order to ensure they would head towards a solution of the Cyprus issue. Mr Prodromou also called for respect in the negotiations process so that “a just and viable solution could be found that wouldn’t leave either side feeling like winners or losers but would instead address the concerns of both communities.”
The Cypriot Government Spokesperson paid tribute to the work of the APPG for Cyprus on behalf of the Government of Cyprus for strengthening the ties between Cyprus and the UK and for keeping the Cyprus issue on the agenda in Parliament. He also commented that the two countries would continue to have excellent relations even after Britain leaves the European Union.
Federation President, Christos Karaolis, welcomed guests to the event and spoke of the UK Cypriot community’s hope and determination to see a free, united Cyprus free from the outdated system of guarantees and without the presence of foreign troops. He said, “what we’re asking for is both fairs and simple. A just solution based on the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the High-Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979.”
Mr Karaolis also said that “the UK Cypriot community is clear in its demands that Turkey’s unacceptable demands [in the negotiations] and influence in Cyprus must end.” He referred to the Federation’s recent email campaign where MPs from Aberdeen to Exeter were contacted by constituents concerned about Turkey’s negative influence in Cyprus. Mr Karaolis emphasised that UK Cypriots would continue to have their legitimate concerns heard and would continue to campaign for a free, united Cyprus.
The High Commissioner for the Republic of Cyprus to the UK, Euripides Evriviades, addressed the event, thanked everyone for attending and expressed deep gratitude to the APPG for Cyprus for being “all-weather friends of Cyprus”. He also commented on the major contribution that the UK Cypriot community has had in the UK and said that they have made both the UK and Cyprus a better place.
Sir Roger Gale MP, who had earlier been re-elected Chair of the APPG for Cyprus, welcome the guests to the event and emphasised that MPs were united across party lines in favour of the reunification of Cyprus. Sir Roger concluded by saying that “we must look forward to the day that Cypriots have access to their whole island.
Speaking on behalf of the UK Government, Foreign Office Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, expressed gratitude towards the High Commission for Cyprus to the UK, the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK and the APPG for Cyprus for their work in strengthening the ties between the two countries. The Minister said that “the ultimate objective is to achieve a solution in line with the High-Level Agreements”. Lord Ahmad also stressed the importance of the Commonwealth to both the UK and Cyprus and said that both are working towards making it more secure and prosperous.
Fabian Hamilton, Shadow Minister for Peace and Disarmament, spoke on behalf of Her Majesty’s Opposition and commented that, “security for Cyprus must be through the EU and not through old-fashioned systems nor by foreign troops nor by Turkey”. Mr Hamilton also paid tribute to the work of the APPG for Cyprus and the Cyprus High Commissioner, Euripides Evriviades, for their contribution towards Cyprus and the UK Cypriot community.
The Rt Hon. Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, told attendees that she “fights for a free, united Cyprus every day” by asking questions in the House of Commons and raising important issues with the UK Government such as the need to end the “outdated system of guarantees”. Ms Villiers reaffirmed her support for the abolition of the Treaty of Guarantee and foreign country intervention rights as well as for the Republic of Cyprus’ right to explore and exploit natural resources in its EEZ.
The next MP to speak was Joan Ryan, MP for Enfield North. Ms Ryan expressed her deep concerns that, under President Erdogan, Turkey is “sliding towards an authoritative regime” and that would have worrying consequences for Cyprus and the wider region. Ms Ryan also paid tribute to the UK Cypriot community and particularly their “important voluntary work”.
Bambos Charalambous MP for Enfield Southgate, and the only MP of Cypriot origin, highlighted the importance of resolving the tragic humanitarian issue of the missing persons. Mr Charalambous expressed his delight that the Federation was making its presence felt through its email campaigns which he said have “bombarded him with emails from constituents about Cyprus”. He also referred to questions he asked in Parliament about the Cyprus issue, torture by British soldiers in Cyprus in the 1950s, and Turkey’s aggression in Cyprus’ EEZ.
Catherine West, MP for Hornsey & Wood Green, said that “we must all work towards a bi-zonal, bi-communal, federal Cyprus”. Ms West also hoped to see the resumption of reunification talks and stressed the importance of respect and trust during the negotiations process.
Mike Freer, MP for Finchley & Golders Green, was unable to attend the event on the night but recorded a message saying that “44 years after the invasion of Cyprus by Turkey, it’s important to remember that while time has passed, the issues haven’t gone away. We still have people dispossessed from their land and their homes, families with missing relatives, and an island still divided… we continue to strive for a just solution for Cyprus and a reunited island.
Stephen Gethins MP, SNP Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, couldn’t speak at the event due to time commitments but he spoke to a representative of the Federation outside the event and paid tribute to the contribution that the UK Cypriot community has made in the UK. He also looked forward to seeing a reunified Cyprus in the future and hoped to work closely with the community in the future.
Lord Collins, Shadow Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, told a representative of the Federation that the event left him with “a sense of hope that we will achieve the justice and independence that we’ve so badly needed over the last 44 years”.
Roger Godsiff MP also spoke outside the event and said that he “really hopes to see a solution to the Cyprus issue sooner rather than later” and also that he hopes that Cypriots continue to demand and campaign for a reunified island.
Other MPs in attendance were Khalid Mahmood (Shadow Minister for Europe) and John Penrose (MP for Weston-super-Mare).
Other distinguished guests in attendance included the Cyprus High Commissioner, Euripides Evriviades; members of the Cyprus High Commission; Andreas Papaevripides, President of POMAK (the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots); Harry Charalambous, President of NEPOMAK UK (the youth branch of POMAK); members of the National Federation of Cypriots’ Executive Committee and Secretariat; and representatives from Cypriot communities in Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Leeds.
Cypriot Government Spokesperson meets Parliamentarians to discuss Cyprus issue and Brexit
During Prodromou’s visit, he met Khalid Mahmood MP (Shadow Minister for Europe) and Fabian Hamilton MP (Shadow Minister for Peace and Disarmament). They discussed the Cyprus issue and Brexit. Discussing the Labour Party’s policy on Cyprus, the Shadow Ministers said that a mechanism would have to be found that addresses the security concerns of all Cypriots, however this could not be through the outdated current system of guarantees or the presence of foreign troops which they said was “not fit for purpose in the 21st Century.”
The Cypriot Government Spokesperson also had a meeting with the Chair and one of the Vice-Chairs of the APPG for Cyprus, Sir Roger Gale (Chair) and Theresa Villiers (Vice-Chair). During the meeting they discussed the details of some aspects of the Cyprus issue including the need for a new security system for Cyprus, the importance of the withdrawal of foreign troops, the return of refugees to places such as Morphou, and the return of Famagusta.
Mr Prodromou also met with the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Brexit, Tom Brake MP. The meeting focussed on the issues surrounding Britain leaving the EU such as securing citizens’ rights and continued close relations between the two countries that predates both countries’ membership of the EU. They also discussed the latest developments in the Cyprus issue and the Liberal Democrats’ support for the Republic of Cyprus’ sovereign rights in its EEZ.
APPG for Cyprus holds its Annual General Meeting
Prior to the event ‘Cyprus: The Quest for a Solution’, the APPG for Cyprus held its Annual General Meeting where Sir Roger Gale was re-elected as Chair. During the AGM, members of the APPG for Cyprus also had a private meeting with the Cyprus Government Spokesperson. The Officers of the APPG for Cyprus were elected as follows:
Chair: Sir Roger Gale
Vice-Chairs: Theresa Villiers, Bambos Charalambous, Joan Ryan
Secretary: Catherine West
Treasurer: Roger Godsiff
Trustees: Baroness Massey of Darwen, Angus MacNeil, Kate Osamor, Matthew Offord, John Cryer, Sheryll Murray