UK Minister for Europe Leo Docherty was in Cyprus on Tuesday in a move to deepen the close ties between the two countries, particularly in light of recent cooperation on Sudan, the British High Commission said.

Docherty will meet President Nikos Christodoulides to thank him and the Cypriot authorities for their contribution and cooperation to the evacuation of British and Cypriot nationals from Sudan, the largest and longest evacuation effort of any Western nation.

“He will also reiterate and discuss the UK’s support for a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus settlement process,” the High Commission said.

In a meeting with Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Docherty was to explore how the UK and Cyprus can build upon last year’s Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries. The memorandum is committed to boosting collaboration on foreign policy, security, science, climate and trade.

Docherty was also due to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar to reiterate UK support for the UN-led process towards a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement to the Cyprus issue.

“I want to sincerely thank our Cypriot friends for their cooperation in the successful evacuation of 2,450 people fleeing war in Sudan,” Docherty said in a written statement.

“The evacuation effort, the longest and largest of any Western nation, is strong testament to the unique and special bond between our two countries.”

The Minster was also due to meet British peacekeepers serving with the UN peacekeeping mission to Cyprus and tour the British base in Dhekelia to meet serving military and civilian personnel and thank them for their role in the evacuation efforts from Sudan.