The United Nations is continuing its efforts regarding the Cyprus issue, said the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, María Ángela Olguín, following her meeting in the early hours of the morning (Cyprus time) with the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, in New York.
After the meeting, which lasted about an hour, both the President of the Republic and Ms. Olguín described it as a good, constructive meeting, while in response to a reporter’s question, Ms. Olgin said that she is continuing her efforts to achieve progress on the Cyprus issue.
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Also present at the meeting were Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letympiotis, and Chief Negotiator Menelaos Menelaou.
One-on-one with the British Prime Minister
The particularly important role that the United Kingdom can play, both as a permanent member of the Security Council and as a guarantor power, was emphasized by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, to British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, requesting his personal contribution to support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to resume the negotiation process, according to Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letympiotis.
Late yesterday (Cyprus time), President Christodoulides met with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly, marking the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since the British Prime Minister took office.
As Spokesperson Konstantinos Letympiotis stated, “During the meeting, the President of the Republic expressed his satisfaction with the substantive strategic nature that relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom have taken on and reiterated the Republic of Cyprus’sRepublic to further strengthen them.”
The two countries, he noted, maintain a broad and multifaceted relationship, ranging from foreign policy, security, and defense to the economy, investment, tourism, education, and the particularly strong ties between the two peoples.
“In this context, President Christodoulides welcomed the intention to hold the fourth round of the Cyprus-United Kingdom Strategic Dialogue at the ministerial level in December, noting that it could constitute another substantial step toward further deepening and institutionally strengthening cooperation between the two countries,” Mr. Letympiotis stated.
The two leaders also discussed issues concerning the British Bases in Cyprus.
The President of the Republic “reiterated that the Republic of Cyprus is not involved in any military operations and emphasized that the security of Cyprus and the population on the island, as well as relations with the states in the region, must be taken seriously into account when making any decisions regarding the British Bases.”
They also discussed efforts toward the full integration of the Republic of Cyprus into the Schengen Area. “President Christodoulides referred to the significant progress that has been made and the positive report from the European Commission, noting that the Republic of Cyprus is working with the member states and the Commission to reach a political decision as soon as possible,” Mr. Letympiotis said.
Particular emphasis was placed on the Cyprus issue. “The President of the Republic briefed the British Prime Minister on the latest developments and the efforts being made to create the conditions for the resumption of substantive negotiations, from the point at which they were suspended, based on the agreed framework and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions,” the Government Spokesperson stated.
President Christodoulides, Mr. Letympiotis noted, emphasized the particularly important role that the United Kingdom can play, both as a permanent member of the Security Council and as a guarantor power, and requested Mr. Bernam’s personal contribution to support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to resume the negotiation process.
According to Mr. Letympiotis, relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom were also discussed. The President of the Republic referred to the special priority given by the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU to further strengthening this strategic relationship and to the substantial results achievedduring its tenure.
According to the Government Spokesperson, the two leaders exchanged views on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the broader Middle East. The President of the Republic emphasized the importance of closer strategic coordination between Cyprus and the United Kingdom for regional security and stability, building on their experience of cooperation in humanitarian operations.
