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- Ελληνικά
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, Mr. Kostis Efstathiou and the non-member of the Committee Ms Alexandra Attalidou met today with a delegation of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus in the British Parliament (APPG-CYP) as part of its contacts during its stay in Cyprus.
The delegation comprises Ms Caroline Nokes (Leader - Conservative Party) Chair of the Group, Sir Roger Gale (Conservative Party) Honorary Chair of the Group, Mr Fabian Hamilton (Labour Party), Vice Chair of the Group, Mr Bambos Charalambous (Labour Party) Honorary Secretary of the Group and Member, Ms Paulette Hamilton (Labour Party). The British MPs were accompanied by the President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the United Kingdom, Mr Christos Karolis.
Welcoming the delegation, Mr Georgiades referred to Cyprus' aspiration to become a pillar of stability and security in the turbulent Eastern Mediterranean region. However, Turkey's intransigent attitude, its ongoing violations of human rights in Cyprus and the constant threats it makes against the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, undermine any efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem, he said. The President of the Commission said that the incentives for the resumption of negotiations should aim at creating a positive climate, without being counterproductive to the desired outcome.
The Head of Delegation, Ms Nokes, underlined the support and solidarity of the United Kingdom and in particular of the members of the Group in the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.
In the ensuing debate, Cypriot MPs noted that there is no conflict between the two communities in Cyprus, but the perpetuation of the status quo is increasing insecurity and uncertainty and cannot be allowed to continue, while underlining the urgent need to find a viable solution as soon as possible on the basis of the principles of international law. British MPs said that 50 years of invasion and occupation is too long and expressed their support for a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation. At the same time, they condemned the efforts of the Turkish side to open up and exploit the enclosed area of Famagusta for tourism, as well as the propaganda and disinformation practices used by the occupation regime and Turkey in their efforts to influence Members of the British Parliament.
During the meeting, issues of regional interest were also discussed, in particular the unstable situation in the Middle East.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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