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The Cyprus-UK relations were praised by the Minister of Justice in her message at a reception at the British Bases for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee[/QUOTE]
The Cyprus-UK relations were praised by the Minister of JusticeUK relations was praised by Justice and Public Order Minister Stefi Drakou in a speech on Thursday evening at a reception at the British Bases for the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee.
Drakou referred to the Queen as a remarkable world leader who for seventy years has led the United Kingdom with skill and dedication, making herself an example to all nations.
She said that Cyprus and the UK have excellent relations adding that the long-standing friendship is based on a shared past, strong people-to-people ties and bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas.
The Minister said that Cyprus is particularly proud of the active Cypriot community in the UK, the largest community of Cypriots abroad adding also that the UK is one of the popular academic destinations for thousands of Cypriot students.
At the same time, she noted, Cyprus hosts more than 60,000 British people living on our island but is also a holiday destination for more than one million British tourists annually.
Mrs. Drakou also referred to the recent agreement to develop property within the civilian areas of the British Bases which she said will give a new impetus to our relationship and will have a real impact on people's lives.
According to the Minister, economic, business and investment bilateral relations are an integral and fundamental part of cooperation, with the UK being one of Cyprus' main trading partners for both goods and services.
She noted that strengthening cooperation is now more necessary than ever, saying that current global challenges require common responses based on our shared values and principles. She added that the Russian invasion of Ukraine makes these principles more relevant today than ever before.
The Minister indicated that the Russian invasion and the war in Ukraine touch open wounds for Cypriots who have their own tragic experience of foreign invasion and ongoing Turkish military occupation and fully understand the suffering and the need for solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
He referred to Turkey's illegal actions both at sea and on the ground in Varosha, which, he said, perpetuate the current impasse and undermine any effort aimed at resuming the negotiation process. They are also, he said, a threat to stability, peace and security in the region.
He assured that despite Turkey's stance, we will continue to take initiatives to break the deadlock, such as the recent MOUs.
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