UK Minister talks Cyprus problem in Nicosia visit

The UK Foreign Minister for the European Neighbourhood Wendy Morton reiterated in a visit to Nicosia on Wednesday the UK’s full support of the upcoming UN talks on Cyprus. 

In tweets following her meetings with President Nicos Anastasiades and Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides, Morton said “it is important that all parties seize the opportunity presented by the UN Secretary General’s 5+1 talks to push for a Settlement which will benefit all Cypriots and enhance regional stability.”

Morton noted that the UK and Cyprus “have an historic partnership built on shared history, common values & legal systems & joint membership of the Commonwealth.”

In statements ahead of the meeting Anastasiades stressed that the solution of the Cyprus problem remains within UN resolutions, adding that the success of the informal conference on Cyprus in late April depends on Turkey`s stance. 

Anastasiades said he would convey to Morton the Greek Cypriot side’s clear position that the solution of the Cyprus problem remains the one suggested by UN resolutions, unanimous decisions of the National Council -top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus issue- and the parameters of the UN Secretary General, based on the announcement of November 25, 2019.

Reports emerged recently over certain settlement proposals tabled by Britain that seek to bridge the Greek Cypriot side’s aim for a decentralised federation, and the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish claim for two states and sovereign equality.

The proposals, tabled amid an observable push by Britain to secure a more prominent role in Cyprus negotiations in the post-Brexit period, have drawn uneasy reactions from government ranks, which have repeatedly stressed that a solution that deviates in any way from UNSC resolutions would not be up for discussion.