Foreign Secretary attends annual CFCyprus conference reception

The Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon James Cleverley MP, attended the annual Conservative Friends of Cyprus reception at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on Sunday night.

Other speakers included the High Commissioner of for Cyprus, HE Andreas Kakouris, President of CFCyprus, the Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP, and prominent members of the British Cypriot community including Andre Chris, George Hadjipavlis, Andreas Papaevripides and Doros Partasides.

In his speech to the gathering, Mr Cleverley reiterated the commitment of the UK Government to resolve this longstanding issue in Cyprus, saying that the British government wants to see the Cyprus issue “resolved through negotiations, in accordance with the United Nations framework”, adding that he had discussed such a solution during his recent visit to Ankara.

In his address Mr Cleverly said that the UK has great relations with both Cyprus and Turkey and is working towards a solution to this longstanding issue.

“I can assure you that we will continue to work passionately to try to resolve this longstanding issue and not just let it slide. Just because something has been the case for a long time does not mean that we should give up the desire to achieve a solution and we will continue to work on it,” he added.

He referred to his recent meeting and good relations with Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, whom he jokingly called “a tall, good looking guy”, saying they “hit it off” and had produced some “serious work” on bilateral relations during their very first face-to-face meeting in London a few months ago.

Mr Cleverly gave particular emphasis to the “instantaneous, positive and decisive” support the government of Cyprus gave to the UK nationals’ evacuation operation from Sudan. He described this support as a perfect example of friendship and close cooperation between the two countries.

He also praised the “incredibly positive” contribution of the Cypriot diaspora in the UK, as well as the “outstanding” Cypriot High Commissioner Andreas Kakouris.

Mr Cleverly congratulated the Republic of Cyprus on the 63rd anniversary of its establishment, which coincided with the event on Sunday.

In her speech to the gathering, Theresa Villiers said “we must never let up on the pursuit for a just and balanced negotiated settlement in Cyprus […] a free and united Cyprus is a matter of urgency and should be seen as such by the UN and the international community.” She also added "This reception is always a great opportunity to highlight the hugely positive contribution made by the British Cypriot community in the UK, in business, in culture and media, in the NHS and our public services. British Cypriots have succeeded in all walks of life and I know there is great enthusiasm on all sides for maintaining the closest links between the UK and Cyprus.”

This event is also an occasion to celebrate support for Cyprus within the Conservative Party and promote support for the Conservative Party within the Cypriot community.