Focus on ‘excellent’ UK-Cypriot relations at king’s first birthday party

British High Commissioner to Cyprus Irfan Siddiq praised the excellent collaboration on UK sanctions of Russian-linked entities, while President Nikos Christodoulides focused on the importance of UK support in the Cyprus issue at event held on the occasion of King Charles’ official birthday on Wednesday.

Speaking at the evening event, hosted by the high commission, Irfan Siddiq said he had been “hugely encouraged” by the positive collaboration of the country with British law enforcement agencies and other experts in tackling the sanctions issue.

It was the first annual official birthday function for King Charles in Cyprus since the passing of his mother Queen Elizabeth last year.

“This constructive response provides opportunities to improve standards of regulation and compliance in the legal and financial sectors, which can only strengthen Cyprus’ attractiveness as a business and financial hub,” Siddiq said.

He also addressed concerns over the previously strong education links between the two countries following Brexit.

He acknowledged that the higher tuition costs for Cypriots studying at UK universities has led to a shift in the choices of many who had previously favoured the UK as their destination.

“We cannot afford to sever this link between our countries and are committed to exploring ways to try to resolve this problem,” Siddiq said.

“I see this as a real risk for our future.”

Siddiq also noted that the UK continued to support a just and enduring solution to the Cyprus problem based on the agreed international framework of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality.

“We continue to work with the parties to find ways to resume negotiations, building on the president’s new initiative,” he said.

President Nikos Christodoulides, for his part, told attendees that the support and solidarity of the UK towards securing a solution to the Cyprus problem, which he named as the highest priority of his agenda, is essential.

“Our common and unwavering dedication for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, [is what] will lead to a reunified Cyprus,” the president said.

The support of the UK is of particular significance given its position as a permanent member of the UN security council, Christodoulides stressed.

The president added that relations between the two countries extend beyond the Cyprus issue, and span many fields, including business, education, tourism, economy and commercial ties, shipping, technology and research and innovation.

The recent arrangement on non-military development in the British bases is yet another important milestone to the bilateral agenda, the president said.

“It signifies the vital importance we both attach to safeguarding the prosperity of current and future residents as well as property owners in general, in the area,” Christodoulides said, noting that the recently signed MOU between the countries on bilateral strategic cooperation would further strengthen ties.

Christodoulides also referred to the Cypriot community in the UK – numbering more 300,000 – saying that it is the most dynamic aspect of relations between the countries.

“The government and the people of the RoC are immensely proud of the vivid Cypriot community in the UK, the largest community of Cypriots overseas,” he said, noting that they engage actively in efforts to reunite the country.

Referring to other bilateral ties, Siddiq acknowledged the growing partnership between the military and security sectors of the UK and Cyprus, citing the successful collaboration during evacuation of civilians from Sudan as a prime example.

“This humanitarian operation could not have succeeded without the fantastic collaboration between the Cypriot authorities, the British High Commission and the British forces in Cyprus,” he said, adding that the countries also share a strong determination to stand with Ukraine and against Russian aggression.

In his address, the president characterised the ties between the two states as “unique and deep-rooted” with a promising future, underpinned by mutual support for democracy and peace as well as shared values on the adherence to international law.

“Our countries are staunch advocates of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations [including] respect for rules-based order and […] reaching agreements on international disputes by peaceful means,” Christodoulides said.

“The reception is an opportunity to pay tribute to the King’s devotion to the service of his country and celebrate the steadfast people-to-people contact and mutually beneficial cooperation on a wide range of issues […] at the bilateral as well as the multilateral level,” the president concluded.