The UK is “a strong supporter of a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue, in line with relevant Security Council Resolutions,” a Foreign Office spokesperson has told the Cyprus News Agency.
The statement came as a response to a question on how London sees the prospects of a resumption of Cyprus settlement negotiations following the recent meeting in Nicosia between the leaders of the two communities, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.
“We urge all sides to continue to engage constructively and to demonstrate theircommitment to making progress towards a settlement,” the spokesperson added.
The Cyprus News Agency understands that the UK Government has welcomed the leaders’ meeting on 3 November following which they expressed their determination to respond positively to the UN Secretary-General’s commitment to explore the possibility to convene an informal five-plus-United Nations meeting.
At the same time, responding to questions by Conservative Lord Bourne, the Foreign Office Minister in the House of Lords Baroness Sugg reiterated London’s support for a settlement based on the internationally accepted model of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.
She added that the UK Government welcomed the UN Secretary General’s commitment to explore convening an informal five-plus-UN meeting with the parties.
Baroness Sugg also said that London continues to discuss the settlement process with all parties.
She referred to the phone call between Prime Minister Johnson and President Anastasiades on 27 October, during which the British leader emphasised the UK`s willingness to play a more active, supportive role in the settlement process.
She added that PM Johnson discussed the Cyprus settlement with Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan on 28 September and Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on 20 October.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also discussed the settlement process with Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides on 7 October and Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on 19 October.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The last attempt to solve the problem took place in the summer of 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans Montana but ended inconclusively.
(CNA)
