FM calls for London's support in resuming settlement talks

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos has expressed Cyprus' expectation for all parties involved in the Cyprus issue to apply pressure and play a constructive role in order to restart settlement talks. Kombos made these comments after a meeting with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in London. The discussions focused on the EU assuming a more active role in resuming negotiations to resolve the long-standing Cyprus issue.

The two ministers also addressed bilateral matters, including the implementation of the Strategic Partnership Memorandum signed last November, as well as regional issues. Kombos emphasized the significance of the historical and multi-layered relationship between Cyprus and the UK.

Regarding the resumption of talks, Kombos reiterated Cyprus' unwavering commitment to press for their immediate restart. He highlighted that negotiations should resume from the point where they stopped at the Crans Montana summit in 2017, within the framework set by the United Nations for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality. Kombos stressed that this approach is the only viable option on the table and called on all stakeholders, including the UK, to exercise constructive pressure to bring all parties back to the negotiating table.

Foreign Secretary Cleverly expressed gratitude for Cyprus' cooperation in the Sudan evacuation operation and received a formal invitation from Kombos to visit Cyprus. Kombos's visit to London concludes with a working lunch with the Labour Party's Shadow Europe Minister Stephen Doughty.

Cyprus has remained divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Despite multiple rounds of UN-led peace talks, a resolution has not been achieved. The last round of negotiations held in July 2017 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, concluded without a decisive outcome.