A failure to resolve the Cyprus issue after so many efforts will not benefit anyone, so we call on all parties to come to the talks with a readiness for compromise in order to have a positive result, said the British Foreign Secretary, Dominique Raab. the Cypriot counterpart of Nikos Christodoulidis.
Mr Raab said the UK wanted to see a permanent and lasting end to the conflict in Cyprus and expressed hope that all sides would see the opportunities presented.
For his part, Mr. Christodoulidis said that he expressed to his British counterpart “our expectation that negotiations will resume soon, from the point where they were suspended in Crans Montana and I reiterated our clear commitment to this end.”
“I also reiterated our stated readiness to continue the negotiations under the framework of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Convergences achieved and the Joint Communication of February 2014, while expressing the hope that the same level of commitment will be shown by all.” , he said.
He said he and his British counterpart agreed that in pursuing a meaningful process, it was important for all stakeholders to embrace the need to avoid any challenges that could jeopardize the effort.
In his remarks, Mr. Raab urged all parties to attend the talks “with a desire to show flexibility and compromise”, noting that he was encouraged by the talks he had had on the issue.
He said “there is an opportunity to push for a solution that will benefit both sides” and will be a great benefit for regional stability, security and prosperity.
He expressed the appreciation that a failure to find a settlement after so many efforts will not benefit anyone.
He said that “we will work together with the Cypriots and of course the UN to finally resolve the Cyprus issue and achieve a fair and lasting solution. So that again the young people, the next generation of Cypriots, can fulfill their ambitions, their dreams and escape from the fears and anxieties that are presented in both communities “.
He stressed that a reunited Cyprus can achieve its full potential as a ray of democracy, security and prosperity and the values shared by the British and Cypriots.
Mr. Raab said that the UK-Cyprus relationship is strong and that the two countries have a long history and relationship.
“We have common values, common legal systems, we are both involved in the Commonwealth and we have a very large network of relationships between people, including students – and we talked a little bit about that today as well,” he added.
He also referred to the cooperation that exists especially in education, science, research and security, expressing the desire to further strengthen these ties and relationships.
He pointed out that his country wants to play a supportive role, helping the people of Cyprus, both sides, as he said, to break the deadlock and find a settlement that works in the interest of all.
“We are a nation that instinctively solves problems, we are a guarantor force, we are a permanent member of the UN Security Council,” he added.
But above all, he said, we feel “that we are also a longtime friend of the Cypriot people throughout the island. So we want to see a permanent and lasting end to this conflict
In his statements, Mr. Christodoulidis said that Mr. Raab's visit heralds the opening of a new, promising chapter in the long history of the special relationship between Cyprus and the United Kingdom. “Our countries have been close partners in the EU and I assure you that we will maintain and strengthen this fruitful relationship.”
He said that Mr. Raab's visit “is important as well as the time at which it takes place, as it coincides with the efforts of the UN Secretary General to resume negotiations for the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.” ”.
“We discussed at length the multidimensional, long-term cooperation between Cyprus and the United Kingdom, as well as the range of our common interests. “As close partners, we have also exchanged views on issues on which we do not have the same approach, on which we will continue the dialogue,” said the Foreign Minister.
He added that “the scope for further strengthening of our relations is enormous and the goal is common – to establish a strategic partnership with the United Kingdom. A range of areas are offered for enhanced collaboration, from education, technology and business to security and defense. In this direction, we discussed ways to use the dynamics created by today's visit and launched specific steps, immediately and in the long run.
Mr. Christodoulidis said that as expected, and after Mr. Raab's meeting with President Anastasiadis earlier, he himself discussed with his British counterpart for a long time the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue.
He added that the United Kingdom's role – as a party to the Establishment and Guarantee Treaty, as well as its role as a Permanent Member of the Security Council – is vital.
“I express our hope that the negotiations will resume soon, from where they left off in Crans Montana, and I reiterate our clear commitment to that end. I also reiterated our stated readiness to continue the negotiations under the framework of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the convergences reached and the Joint Communication of February 2014, while expressing the hope that the same level of commitment will be shown by all. ” underlined.
He stressed that “it must be absolutely clear that a comprehensive solution must be in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions, the United Nations Charter, the values and principles of EU law. A reunited Cyprus must be a functioning state, a viable EU Member State, a stable and reliable operating in its territory. “A modern European state that is not a prisoner of anachronistic systems and structures that have no place in the 21st century,” he added.
He said he and his British counterpart agreed that in the pursuit of a meaningful process, it was important for all stakeholders to embrace the need to avoid any challenges that could put the effort at risk of derailment. He noted that Mr. Raab is well-versed in international law and fully understands the importance of complying with it, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
As for Varosha, he said he noted the UK's constructive stance on the agreement on a strong Presidential Security Council statement last October and reiterated how sad it was that Turkey, despite international condemnation, had committed violations within the enclave. , in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
He said that regarding the developments in the region, he informed Mr. Raab about the active role of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf region, together with a number of like-minded states, within the expanding framework of tripartite cooperation mechanisms, with the aim of promoting synergies. through a positive agenda. “Our vision is to strengthen the prospects for peace, stability and prosperity in the region,” he added.
I stressed, said Mr. Christodoulidis, that this network of positive agenda is expanding to include partners with a common geopolitical vision in order to prepare the ground for more extensive and institutionalized regional cooperation. The United Kingdom is well aware of the region and we certainly see prospects for enhanced cooperation on this front as well.
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