Nicosia expects London to play its part on the Cyprus issue

Nicosia is expecting London to exert pressures that can pave the way for a resumption of talks on the Cyprus problem, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Friday after a meeting with his British counterpart in London.

“We elaborated on the president’s proposal for a more active involvement of the EU with the aim of restarting negotiations, and we discussed the importance of the UN’s role in this process,” Kombos told reporters after a meeting with the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, James Cleverly.

According to Kombos, Cyprus’ expectation is that all those who have a role to play on the Cyprus problem should exert pressures that could lead to a constructive role that could help everyone return to the negotiating table.

“We have no other choice but to insist and stress that talks must restart immediately.”

Talks should resume where they left off in 2017 in Crans Montana and with the UN framework for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, he stressed.

“This is the only way out. There is no other proposal on the table.”

Asked whether the UK was willing to support resuming the talks, Cyprus’ foreign minister said “every negotiator that has a real understanding over the Cyprus problem wants negotiations to go ahead.

“London is one such envoy, with an ongoing role. And we expect all those who have a role to play a constructive role in helping us return to the negotiating table.”

Kombos formally invited Cleverly to Cyprus where they could review the progress of their bilateral relations, while Kombos is expected to be back in London in July for events to mark 49 years since the invasion.

Cleverly thanked Kombos for Cyprus’ efforts in coordinating missions removing British citizens from Sudan.

“I can’t imagine how we would have done this without your cooperation.”

Kombos was concluding his two-day London visit with a working lunch with Labour MP and Shadow Minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty.