The further deepening of the strategic relationship between the United Kingdom and Cyprus, with a particular emphasis on security, regional stability, and institutional cooperation, were reaffirmed during their meeting on Wednesday at the British Foreign Office in London British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Konstantinos Kombos.

Yvette Cooper emphasized that London and Nicosia are working closely together on issues of common foreign policy, regional, and international security. She referred to the recent communication between the two sides following the attack on a Cypriot-flagged vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, she reiterated the importance the British Government attaches to Cyprus’s security and its role in the wider region.

The British Minister also congratulated the Republic of Cyprus on its successful Presidency of the Council of the European Union, noting that Nicosia supports the further development of relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Referring to bilateral relations, Ms. Cooper made special mention of the strong ties between the two countries, noting that approximately 300,000 Cypriots live in the United Kingdom, while 1.4 million Britons visit Cyprus every year.

For his part, Mr. Konstantinos Kompos emphasized that, at a time of significant geopolitical shifts, the Republic of Cyprus seeks to give more substantive substance to its strategic partnership with the United Kingdom.

As he noted, the goal is to strengthen the institutional framework for cooperation and to upgrade communication mechanisms on security issues and other areas of mutual interest.

The Foreign Minister also emphasized the need for a “comprehensive, substantive, and results-oriented dialogue,” noting that the common goal of the two countries is to seek solutions to problems and further strengthen their cooperation, despite the occasional difficulties that have characterized their relations.

Source: CNA