Last week Conservative MPs continued their proactive engagement with Ministers and the Cypriot community in order to further the interests of Cyprus during these difficult economic times.
Mike Freer MP led a meeting with David Burrowes MP, representatives of the National Federation Peter Drousiotis, Andreas Papaevripides, Ninos Koumetos, and the Treasury Minister Rt Hon Greg Clark MP. The meeting followed up a previous meeting to ensure continued progress in supporting Cypriots during the economic crisis.
Meetings also took place at the House of Commons with Matthew Offord MP, Chair of the Cyprus APPG, Nick de Bois MP and David Burrowes MP, Vice Chairs of the Cyprus APPG and Andreas Papaevripides Chairman of Democratic Rally UK and Vice Chairman of Conservatives for Cyprus. Amongst other issues Mr Papaevripides exchanged views for future action on the economy, the forthcoming intercommunal talks in October in Cyprus, and the issues of Famagusta and the Cyprus flag which is not recognised by Turkey.
Rt Hon Greg Clark MP confirmed the British Government had been active in providing practical support. For example, Lloyds and RBS were providing support for ex Laiki lending customers; HMRC was assisting Cypriot businesses with the “time to pay” scheme; the Government was giving assistance to the Cyprus Government’s public sector reform programme and meetings were planned to promote UKTI opportunities in Cyprus. Finally Greg Clark announced that he intends to visit Cyprus soon.
The Conservative MPs issued a joint statement “we welcome the proactive and practical support given by the British Government and Greg Clark in particular to support Cyprus during these difficult economic times. It certainly goes to show that when the going gets tough you know who the true friends of Cyprus are”.
