Press Releases

A wide range of important issues pertaining to the cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom (UK) were discussed, today, during the meeting at the Presidential Palace in Lefkosia between the President of the Republic, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, and the Prime Minister of the UK Sir Kier Starmer, who paid a working visit to Cyprus.

The visit by the British Prime Minister is considered historic, as it is the first visit by a British Prime Minister to the Republic of Cyprus after 53 years, which is held in the framework of the constantly enhanced relations between the two countries.

During today’s deliberations between the governments of the two countries, led by the President of the Republic and the British Prime Minister, the bilateral relations were discussed with emphasis on the upcoming second Strategic Dialogue between the two countries, their cooperation in the fields of security and defence, education and culture, economy, investments and trade relations, clean energy and migration.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over the excellent level of their bilateral relations and their mutual willingness to strengthen them further through coordinated, joint actions.

Regional issues were also extensively discussed, mainly the developments in Syria and possible repercussions in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. In this context, the humanitarian role of the Republic of Cyprus in the region was noted both through the provision of humanitarian aid as well as in matters concerning the evacuation of civilians from war zones.

One of the main topics of discussion were the latest developments on the Cyprus problem and the efforts by the President of the Republic for the resumption of the talks in order to solve the problem.

President Christodoulides also briefed the Prime Minister Starmer on the developments following the meeting he had with the United Nations (UN) Secretary General and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community in New York, as well as on the upcoming expanded meeting that is expected to be convened. In this context, the important role of the UK as a guarantor power and a penholder within the UN Security Council was underlined.

(RM/MS/AP)