The British Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarifies in a letter to the UK National Cypriot Federation the position that London recognizes only the Republic of Cyprus in Cyprus and that the Sunak government had nothing to do with the visit to the British territories MPs and Lords.
On the occasion of this visit to the territories of a small group of British parliamentarians weeks ago, the President of the Federation Christos Karaolis had addressed a letter to the Foreign Office.
In the reply letter from the Mediterranean Department, the assurance is given that "the UK government has had no contact with this group". It is added that the visitors to the occupied territories did not seek instructions or advice from the Foreign Office before their trip and that their visit to areas not controlled by the Cypriot government was "private and unofficial".
References to a question from Mr. Karaolis about a warning to MPs not to visit the occupied territories, the Foreign Office replied that the official travel advice for British citizens already notes that full consular assistance cannot be provided in the areas that are not under the control of the Republic of Cyprus.
"I would like to emphasize that the United Kingdom recognizes only one Cypriot state – the Republic of Cyprus – and only one government as the only legitimate government," the letter states.
Closes noting that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak congratulated President Nikos Christodoulidis on his election in a letter, in which he also reaffirmed British support for the UN a process towards a comprehensive, fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem, "on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality".
Source: KYPE
