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The strong ties between Cyprus and Britain were referred to on Tuesday by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anita Demetriou and the Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom Sir Lindsay Hoyle, expressing confidence that they will be further strengthened. Mr Hoyle also referred to the challenges in the Cyprus problem, noting the UK's "unwavering support" for the reunification of the island in a bizonal bicommunal federation.
In a special session of the House of Representatives, on the occasion of Mr Hoyle's official visit to Cyprus. Demetriou said that this visit marks "the beginning of a new era in relations between the two Parliaments, laying the foundations for enhanced dialogue and for taking joint initiatives and actions, where necessary, to address the multiple challenges we face."
Mrs. Demetriou said that this is Mr. Hoyle's first official visit abroad and the first official visit of a Speaker of the House of Commons to Cyprus at the bilateral level, and that it caps the long history of relations and cooperation between the Parliaments of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Cyprus.
He said that Cyprus and Britain are linked by strong ties forged through time, through contacts between the two peoples, through historical events and circumstances and, above all, through the role of Great Britain as one of the guarantor powers, and as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. These strong ties, he said, continue to develop after the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, as do exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in a wide range of areas, trade, tourism, justice, education, culture, as well as security and many other issues.
"So as the UK's diversified relationship with the European Union evolves, our cooperation will continue to grow, both bilaterally and within the Commonwealth, where Cyprus is an active participant," he added.
He said that the role of the significant number of Cypriot expatriates and students in the UK, as well as the British community living in Cyprus, is also crucial in maintaining and further strengthening relations between the two countries.
Referring to the Cyprus problem, Demetriou reaffirmed the sincere will of the Greek Cypriot side for a just and viable solution, in accordance with international and European law and the UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus.
He said that 47 years is too long, "and this country has the right to hope for a solution that will ensure a peaceful, promising and promising future" and that will allow young people to build a common future of hope.
"I assure you that we will not stop fighting for peace, against the cacophonous sirens of partition, the blatant threats and flagrant violations by Turkey of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus on its territory, including the enclave of Famagusta and the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone," he said.
Demetriou stressed that supportive declarations alone are not enough on this issue, but practical support is needed to restore legitimacy and conditions of peace and security for all the legitimate inhabitants of this country.
"In this context, I would like to express our deepest appreciation for the longstanding contribution of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and the United Kingdom's contribution to it," she said.
"In this context, I would like to express our deepest appreciation for the longstanding contribution of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and the United Kingdom's contribution to it," she said.
He said that the parliaments of the United Kingdom and Cyprus have developed close cooperation, notably within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, but also in other international parliamentary organisations "to promote common goals such as peace, security, stability, progress and prosperity for our peoples".
The House of Representatives, he said, attached particular importance to further strengthening its relationship with Westminster, both in the international parliamentary context to adopt policies and practices in specific areas, and in the bilateral context through increased exchanges at all levels, making particular use of the respective Friendship Groups in the two Parliaments.
"Your present visit underlines our common will to work together to achieve these goals for the benefit of our countries and our peoples," he added.
He also said that many years have passed since the visit to Cyprus of Lady Betty Boothroyd, in the context of the 1996 Commonwealth Conference of Speakers of Parliaments, in 1996. "It is with equal pleasure that I welcome you to Cyprus, as my then predecessor welcomed your mentor, confident that you too will embrace our country and visit it often, as she did," she said.
Parliaments, she added, "we ourselves have a responsibility and a role to play and I truly believe that we can make a difference by further strengthening the cooperation between us." She said they believed in the universal values of democracy and the rule of law and must, now more than ever, work together to preserve and strengthen them.
Demetriou expressed the hope that this would be the beginning of more meaningful cooperation at all levels.
In his address, Mr. Hoyle, who extended an open invitation to Ms. Demetriou to visit the House of Commons, said the ties between Cyprus and the UK "are stronger than ever."
He said he was delighted to be in the House of Representatives and that it was the first time since becoming Speaker in November 2019 that he had been able to address a parliament of another country. Restrictions due to the pandemic, he said, were the reason he was unable in 2020 to attend the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Cyprus House of Representatives and he wished congratulations on this important milestone, belatedly.
Mr Hoyle also said this may be the first time a sitting Speaker of the UK House of Commons has visited Cyprus. His predecessor, he said, Baroness Boothroyd, who was the first and only female Speaker of the House of Commons, chose to holiday in Cyprus, which he described as a "paradise on earth."
He said Ms. Demetriou invited him to come to Cyprus last autumn when they had attended the European Conference of Speakers of Parliaments of the Council of Europe member states in Athens.
Already, he added, bonds of friendship had developed between us as Speakers of Parliaments, especially when it came to their shared beliefs about diversity and participation in Parliament.
"It is particularly significant that Madam Speaker is the first woman to be elected Speaker of the House of Representatives after an extraordinary career in Parliament," he said."
"I hope her election and her place in history will encourage more women to consider becoming MPs," he added.
She also said that in the 2019 UK general election, 220 women were elected, which is the highest proportion, of female lawmakers, but if you count that against a total of 650 MPs, "it's still not enough". She referred to the difficulties faced by women MPs that force them to leave politics, such as the constant harassment and threats they face, especially from social media users. He said they must make the safety of elected politicians a priority while breaking down the barriers that prevent women from entering politics.
Hoyle also referred to the UK High Commissioner to Cyprus, Stephen Lilly, whose efforts, he said, "embody the UK's commitment to Cyprus" and to meeting its obligations as a Guarantor Power, a member of the UN Security Council, and a friend of Cyprus.
On the Cyprus issue, he said that "despite the current challenges, which you are all aware of, the UK remains steadfast in its support for the reunification of the island in accordance with the parameters of the UN Security Council, for a bizonal, bicommunal federation".
This, he said, would allow all Cypriots to live in peace and prosperity, and together allow "this amazing island" to enjoy its full potential.
The Speaker of the House of Commons also referred to the relationship between the two countries, which he said was "deep and enduring".
"Our shared history and common values, including as members of the Commonwealth, lead us to work together in a wide range of areas, from trade and investment to defence, from education and research to digital, e-government, economic and legal reform," he said.
He said about 300,000 Cypriots live in Britain and 50,000 or more Britons live in Cyprus, while more than a million tourists from the UK visit the country.
The parliaments of the two countries have enjoyed strong relations for more than 60 years he said, referring to actions involving MPs from the UK and Cyprus.
He also referred to the shipping sector where he said with the support and enthusiasm of the Cypriot Deputy Minister of Shipping, the UK and Cyprus are exploring new e-training and e-certification partnerships between the two nations, building on a series of activities and workshops, including with British experts, to decarbonise Cyprus' shipping sector.
The UK-Cyprus defence partnership, he said, is another important area that continues to be strengthened.
He also referred to the British Bases, and said that for half a century, the helicopter crew of 84 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Cape Verde Helicopter Squadron (RAF) contributed to and supported Cyprus' Search and Rescue operations. The Bases have also contributed significantly to the response to fires in Cyprus, working closely with the Fire Service and the Forestry Department, he said, and is an employer of 1,100 Cypriots.
In conclusion, Mr Hoyle said that relations between the two countries are stronger than ever and expressed confidence that this relationship and friendship will continue in the future.
Source: CNA
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