The President of the British Liberal Democrats Tim Farron expressed his party’s support for the return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants and for the settlement of the Cyprus issue on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation.
Representing Nick Clegg, leader of the coalition government’s junior partner and deputy Prime Minister, Mr Farron received in his office on Thursday afternoon a delegation of the Famagusta Association UK. The Association members delivered a petition calling for the opening of Famagusta, signed by more than 50,000 people.
As the British politician said, it is very clear to the Liberal Democrats how important and how special the relation between the UK and Cyprus is. “From my perspective and the Liberal Democrats’ perspective, we absolutely believe in a united island of Cyprus, with a single sovereignty, a single international identity and citizenship in a bizonal bicommunal approach,” stated Tim Farron.
With regard to Famagusta, he added that he considers the reopening of the town as “a vital bridge towards the settlement we all want to see.” He stressed that it is time to see how this can be achieved: “I am sure the British government will be prepared to support; I want this support to be in active way. It’s not just what you say but what you do.”
The Liberal Democrats` President pledged to use the parliamentary procedures available to him in order to raise the Famagusta issue. “My intention and my promise is to raise Famagusta in the next session of questions to the Foreign Office. But also, I will put in writing directly to Foreign Secretary William Hague in a more formal and lengthy way the importance of getting behind not just a united Cyprus but in particular to tackle head on the question of Famagusta, that is indeed the key to the reunification we all want,” elaborated Mr Farron.
He also expressed his willingness to sign a declaration of support on behalf of the Liberal Democrats towards the settlement basis, as stated in numerous UN resolutions and high level agreements between leaders of the two communities.
The Cypriot delegation explained to Mr Farron the aim and the nature of the Association’s efforts for the return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants. The Northwest England MP acknowledged that such a development would be beneficial to all Cypriots and would end a fundamental deprivation of human rights. He was also informed about a poll in which 73% of the Turkish Cypriots that took part expressed their wish for the town to return to its residents. He agreed with his British Cypriot interlocutors that the reopening of Famagusta would be a genuine confidence building measure, which would prove to the world that Greek and Turkish Cypriots can live together.
The Famagusta Association UK President Dr Vassilis Mavrou said he was delighted and even moved by the positive response of the Liberal Democrats’ President, both on Famagusta and on the Cyprus issue in general. The Deputy Mayor of Cambridge George Pippas, who as a member of the party arranged the meeting, made a special reference to Mr Farron’s view that progress on Famagusta is the key for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue.
