Τhe National Federation of Cypriots in the UK has called on the UK government to take an active role in international efforts for the reunification of Cyprus. The Federation reaffirmed its support for the agreed UN framework and urged Turkey to return to the table of official negotiations.
In a letter sent to the British Prime Minister, Kir Starmer, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the Federation — which represents over 300,000 British Cypriots — spoke of the deep sorrow and the remembrance that July 20th brings each year, as well as the community’s “unwavering commitment” to a solution for a free and united Cyprus, without foreign troops or guarantees.
The letter expressed the appreciation of the Cypriot diaspora for the strengthening of bilateral relations between the UK and the Republic of Cyprus, particularly after the historic visit of the Prime Minister to Cyprus last December — the first official visit by a British Prime Minister in five decades, as the letter highlights.
It also underlined recent cooperation initiatives, such as the evacuation operations from war zones (Sudan, Israel, Lebanon), the Amalthea initiative for the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and close collaboration in areas like shipping and security.
The letter focused on the ongoing Turkish violations and the need for more active intervention by the UK. The Federation pointed to a series of provocative actions by Ankara in recent years, from drilling in Cyprus’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the opening of Varosha, to attacks against UN peacekeepers in the buffer zone.
Particular concern was expressed over statements by Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who last May claimed once again that Turks and Turkish Cypriots are the rightful owners of Cyprus, a claim the Federation described in the letter as a consistent and dangerous expansionist rhetoric.
Despite the challenges, the letter also noted certain positive developments, such as the renewed interest by the United Nations, recent informal talks, the latest commitment to appoint a special envoy, and confidence-building measures.
The Federation reminded that the United Kingdom — as a Guarantor Power, a member of the UN Security Council, and the holder of the “penholder” role on Cyprus at the United Nations — has not only interests but also responsibilities toward the people of Cyprus. Therefore, it called on London to remain “steadfast” in its support for a solution based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, as defined by UN resolutions, and to exert every possible pressure on Ankara to return to negotiations from the point they left off in Crans-Montana in 2017.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Photo Stavri Kleanthous
