The UK will continue to provide support for the UN-led Cyprus process "by supporting a solution in line with the UN parameters based on the bizonal model, bicommunal federation with political equality", said Chris Heaton-Harris, recently appointed Secretary of State in the Johnson government with responsibility for European affairs, in a letter in response to the President of the UK National Cyprus Federation.
The new Europe Secretary added that the UK government believes that this solution model "is broad enough to address the concerns of both sides" and that a successful resolution of the Cyprus problem "will increase the prosperity of Cyprus and strengthen the security and stability of the region".
He added that British ministers and Foreign Office officials are actively engaging with all sides "not only to urge progress, but to urge restraint from any actions or rhetoric that could undermine the prospects for a solution".
The British Minister for Europe also highlighted London's support for UN Security Council resolutions on the Varosha issue and other related official statements.
Similarly, he continued, the British government continues to express its support for Cypriot hydrocarbon development activities in the internationally recognised EEZ.
"These complex issues underline the importance of reaching a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem," he concluded.
Heaton-Harris also said he took up his new duties at a time when the UK-Cyprus bilateral relationship "has never been stronger", with cooperation across a wide range of areas, and noted the "positive and productive" relationship with the Cypriot community.
In his initial letter on behalf of the Federation, President Christos Karaolis congratulated Mr Heaton-Harris on his appointment and set out the situation regarding the Cyprus problem, noting that Turkey "holds the key to the solution but shows a distinct lack of support for reunification".
He called on the new minister to play a "positive and constructive role" in the island's reunification efforts and on the British government "to do more to put real pressure on Turkey to engage positively and constructively towards a just and lasting solution in Cyprus."
Source: CNA
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