Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides said on Friday that it is important that the British government recognizes the upgraded role of the Republic of Cyprus as a provider of stability in the region, adding that this role must be reinforced even more in the framework of a possible settlement of the Cyprus problem.
In statements to the press after a meeting which Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades had with British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, who is paying an official visit to Cyprus, Christodoulides said that during the meeting the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, bilateral relations of Cyprus and the UK as well as the anticipated UK-EU negotiations in view of Brexit were also discussed. Furthermore he noted the fact that this is the first official visit of a British Defence Secretary to Cyprus.
Asked what upgrading the role of Cyprus in the framework of a Cyprus settlement means, Christodoulides said that it means that the Republic of Cyprus must be able to play its role in the region.
He added that in order to to play this role, Cyprus will have to be a sovereign state that will be able to enhance and reinforce its relations with its neighbouring states, as happens today. Furthermore he said that this role will be safeguarded and reinforced by having the necessary infrastructure and as an EU member state.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Anastasiades has been engaged in UN-led talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci since May 2015 with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.