The UK Minister for Europe David Lidington expressed his government’s hope that the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot leader can hold a formal meeting in the near future.
Asked by Matthew Offord, Conservative MP for Hendon in north London and head of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus, about the Foreign Office’s assessment of progress made in talks between President Anastasiades and Dr Eroglu, Mr Lidington responded in writing saying his Department “hopes that a first formal meeting can take place in the near future to mark the resumption of fully-fledged negotiations.” He added that “Cypriots now have the best chance in years to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement.”
In an answer to another question by the same MP, the Minister for Europe stated that the UK remains committed to supporting the UN’s efforts to achieve a settlement based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as defined by the relevant Security Council resolutions. “It is for the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to agree on the precise terms of a solution,” he added.
Matthew Offord MP also asked the Foreign Office to comment on the role of the UK in assisting international efforts to achieve an agreed settlement in Cyprus. “As a long-standing friend of Cyprus, the UK continues to support the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in their search for a solution. We support the UN in its role, and regularly discuss the need for a settlement with a range of actors, including the other Guarantor Powers, the US, and European partners,” responded David Lidington.
