Christodoulides celebrate 90 years of UK Cypriot diaspora group

The Turkish side’s demand for a two-state solution is “irrational” President Nikos Christodoulides told a gathering of UK Cypriots at an event in London on Tuesday night.

“There is not, and there will never be, any other basis for settlement of the Cyprus question to that described by United Nations Security Council Resolutions,” he said, referring to the previously agreed bizonal, bicommunal federation that the Turkish side has abandoned.

Christodoulides was speaking at an event to mark the 90th anniversary of the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood, a leading organisation in the UK diaspora where he also said he was aware of the “unacceptable” Turkish position of setting prerequisites to resume settlement talks, the main one being that the breakaway north of the island be given sovereign equality and equal international status.

“Turkish positions have been answered long ago. And they have been answered not only by each and every government of the Republic of Cyprus. In fact, Turkish demands have been persistently addressed by the international community itself,” Christodoulides said, addressing an audience of more than 180 people including British MPs.

“For us there is no other option than solving the Cyprus problem based on the agreed framework,” he added.

In this regard he welcomed the appointment of a UN secretary-general’s personal envoy for Cyprus as “an important message” from Antonio Guterres for the “absolute necessity” to resume negotiations aimed at a mutually acceptable and just solution. He repeated his personal pledge to work to that end as an “absolute priority”.

Christodoulides also praised the “defining contribution” of the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood in supporting the work for a free and united Cyprus, as well as in promoting closer relations between Cyprus and the UK.

He conveyed the government’s and the Cypriot people’s gratitude for the organisation’s “instrumental work”.

The vice-president of the Brotherhood Christos Karaolis, in his introductory remarks, described the organisation as “a unifying force, across the political spectrum for our diaspora”.

He thanked the president for his “unstinting support” and pledged the diaspora’s determination to assist him in his efforts to achieve a peaceful, functional and just settlement to the Cyprus issue.

At the end of the evening, Christodoulides was declared Patron of the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood, an honour bestowed upon all the former Cypriot presidents and the late Archbishop Chrysostomos.

Earlier in the day Christodoulides had attended a meeting with investors and entrepreneurs, who discussed investment opportunities in Cyprus.

On Wednesday he was travelling to Brussels to attend the European Council summit.