The UK and Cyprus have turned a page in their relationship, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday after welcoming British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the presidential palace.
Starmer, the first British prime minister to visit Cyprus for 53 years, said it was a “privilege” to be on the island. Christodoulides said the visit “speaks for itself”.
Bilateral relations, with emphasis on the second strategic dialogue between the two countries, as well as cooperation in security, defence, education, culture, the economy, investments, trade, energy and migration, were discussed.
Both Starmer and Christodoulides expressed satisfaction over the level of bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their common will to further enhance ties.
The president said the two countries had turned “a new page in our relationship, which will act to the benefit of both countries and first of all the citizens.”
Welcoming Starmer to the presidential palace, Christodoulides said it was a “historic visit”.
“This is clear proof of our strong will to work together, to enhance our bilateral relationship in defence, security, investments, trade, education, technology and on all levels,” he said.
Christodoulides said Starmer was visiting Cyprus at a time of “great developments in our region”, which they would be discussing to create “conditions of stability and security”.
“Of course, we will discuss the relationship of the EU with the UK, in view of Cyprus’ presidency of the EU Council during the first half of 2026, and of course the Cyprus problem,” Christodoulides added before heading into the tete a tete.
Starmer said it was a real privilege to be in Cyprus and he was delighted that after the two men met in London in October, they had been able to get the “historic meeting” in Cyprus together so quickly.
The president said the UK, as a guarantor power and UN Security Council permanent member, had “a special role to play in resuming talks for the solution of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions”.
“Please take it as a statement of my intent that our really strong relationship, partnership between our countries, strong historically, strong because of the ties that we’ve had, people to people for many, many years, common interests, could be taken to an even stronger level between us,” Starmer added.
He said there were many issues where the countries were already working closely together including the EU reset.
“But to have this opportunity to be here in your beautiful country and to have those discussions, historic because it’s been far too long since a prime minister has been here for discussions, I feel privileged to be here, for being the first prime minister for some time to sit here and have these discussions with you and to take them to another level. So much looking forward to renewing and strengthening the ties between our two countries,” he said.
Later Christodoulides said that next week we will work to see results in our bilateral relationship in the sectors of defence and security, investments, particularly energy, education, health. “From thereon, we will work together for the region”.
He added that it was important that Britain recognises the role Cyprus plays in the region, maintaining excellent relations with all neighbouring countries.
“Let me remind you that he came to Cyprus from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two countries with which we have excellent relations and continuous contact,” he said.
Christodoulides added that Britain was also assuming a new approach towards the EU.
“Cyprus will hold the presidency of the EU Council. In this context, we will lead the negotiations in some issues arising after Brexit. And, of course, the Cyprus problem, where Britain is a guarantor power and a penholder at the UN Security Council,” he said.
Christodoulides said “there can be no discussion on a solution of the Cyprus problem outside the agreed framework, and this position on behalf of Britain is especially important, due to the role it plays in the Cyprus problem.”
The official welcoming ceremony for Starmer took place at 8.45am at the palace, followed by Starmer laying a wreath at the monument of Archbishop Makarios III, Cyprus’ first president after the island gained its independence from British colonial rule.
After shaking hands on the red carpet, Starmer and Christodoulides entered the presidential palace for a tête-à-tête meeting, followed by broader talks, including their delegations.
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