The cooperation between Cyprus and Britain in the post Brexit era in various sectors and particularly in the field of higher and higher education where it was decided to undertake a specific initiative, was the focus of a meeting between the Speaker of the House of Commons Anita Demetriou and the Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
At the same time, during joint statements to the media, the Speaker of the House of Commons expressed the hope that despite the current challenges, Cyprus will be reunited in a bizonal, bicommunal federation, a settlement, he said, that will allow Cypriots to live in prosperity and security and will have the support of the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, noting that this was the first time a sitting Speaker of the House of Commons had visited Cyprus, noted that this was very late in coming and that it was finally time to do so.
He said that he met Demetriou for the first time last autumn in Athens in the context of the Council of Europe, when she invited him to Cyprus.
"The bonds of friendship were already there - we have so much in common in terms of security, diversity and non-inclusion in parliaments," he said.
He added that he had hoped to come to Cyprus in 2020 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Cyprus House of Representatives, but unfortunately, the pandemic prevented him.
He also referred to one of his predecessors in office Baroness Betty Boothroyd who was the first and only woman in office, who while enjoying a holiday in Cyprus described the island as a paradise on earth. "I am beginning to understand why," said the Speaker of the House of Commons.
He went on to say that the UK and Cyprus have a long history of friendship and shared values and are both members of the Commonwealth.
"We work together in many different ways, from trade to defence, from education to research. With more than 300,000 Cypriots living in the UK and 50,000 or more Britons having made Cyprus their home. More than a million tourists from the UK visit (Cyprus) every year."
Referring to his speech before the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon, he said it would be his first in a foreign Parliament since his election in November 2019 and thanked the Speaker for allowing him to have this "great honour".
He also referred to his meetings during his visit to Cyprus, including with the President of the Republic, the British High Commissioner and members of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs. He also said he looked forward to meeting with the British serving on British bases and in the UN Peacekeeping Force.
"Overall, this is a great opportunity for me to further build on the good relations and friendship that already exists between our two countries," he concluded.
For her part, the Speaker said that Sir Lindsay Hoyle's first official visit abroad, and the first official visit of a Speaker of the House of Commons to Cyprus, underlines the special relationship between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom as well as the common will to work to further strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the two Parliaments.
She said that she and her counterpart agreed to increase inter-parliamentary exchanges at various levels, as well as to undertake joint initiatives and actions within the framework of their respective competences, "because only through collective action can we tackle the small and big challenges that lie ahead of us."
Mrs. Demetriou added that she briefed the President of the House of Commons on the current developments regarding the Cyprus problem, reaffirming the firm commitment and engagement of the Republic of Cyprus in the negotiation process, "which we wish to resume as soon as possible, with a view to achieving a just and viable solution, on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, for the benefit of the entire Cypriot people, especially our young people".
"Sir Lindsay Hoyle and I exchanged views on the cooperation that continues to develop between the two countries in the post-Brexit era in a number of areas, with particular reference to the areas of higher and higher education where I am pleased to announce that a specific initiative will be undertaken, as well as tourism. She noted that they also discussed issues of common interest, such as the migration crisis and climate change, as well as issues related to strengthening the rule of law, including the fight against misinformation and "fake news", an area in which, she said, an initiative will also be taken.
He expressed confidence that through enhanced cooperation, both at the bilateral level and within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and other international parliamentary organisations in which the two parliaments participate, much can be done, thereby demonstrating the added value of parliamentary diplomacy, particularly, he said, in the era of the pandemic, where it should be demonstrated that not only are parliaments alive but they are taking the initiatives to address challenges large and small. CNA
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