The UK recognises that 2024 marks a ‘difficult’ anniversary for Cyprus, (namely 50 years since the Turkish invasion that led to the ongoing occupation of the northern third of the island’s territory), and it continues to support the UN-led process towards a settlement, a Foreign Office letter has stated.
Responding to a letter by the Board of British Cypriots congratulating the newly appointed Minister of State for Europe Nusrat Ghani and setting out the challenges due to the continued occupation, the Foreign Office has also said that the status quo continues to create ‘serious challenges’ for all Cypriots.
‘The UK believes that a just and lasting settlement is the best way to address these challenges and our support for the UN-led process to reach a settlement is unwavering. The former Minister for Europe, Leo Docherty MP, outlined this when he met the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for Cyprus on 7 March. We stand ready to support her efforts as appropriate,’ the letter to the Cypriot diaspora organ
isation added.
It also described the work of the Board of British Cypriots as ‘encouraging’ and concluded by saying that ‘whilst significant differences remain between the sides, we believe that with sufficient flexibility from all parties, a path remains to a resolution that addresses the priorities of all Cypriots.’
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. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Columbia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue.
Source: Cyprus News Agency