House of Commons

House of Commons 12.7.16 solution to Cyprus Issue

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• published: 10 Aug 2016
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Eκδήλωση που διοργανώνεται κάθε χρόνο Εθνική Κυπριακή Ομοσπονδία σε συνεργασία με τον σύνδεσμο συγγενών αγνοουμένων ηνωμένου βασιλείου. Η εκδήλωση πραγματοποιήθηκε την Τρίτη 12 Ιουλίου που αρχικά έγινε πικετοφορία έξω απ’ την βουλή και συμμετείχαν συγγενείς αγνοουμένων, εκπρόσωποι κομμάτων και οργανώσεων. Το παρόν έδωσαν επίσης και πολλοί βρετανοί βουλευτές, φίλοι και υποστηρικτές των δίκαιων αιτημάτων των συγγενών των αγνοουμένων με σκοπό να εξακριβωθούν οι τύχες των συγγενών τους και να τερματίσει η παράνομη κατοχή της μισής Κύπρου απ’ τα τουρκικά στρατεύματα. Στην συνέχεια οι διαδηλωτές με την συνοδεία Άγγλων βουλευτών εισήλθαν στους χώρους της βρετανικής βουλής στο Grand Committee Room στο House of Commons. Εκεί τους υποδείχτηκε ο πρόεδρος της κυπριακής ομοσπονδίας Χρήστος Καραολής και άρχισε η συζήτηση για το εθνικο θέμα. Συμμετείχαν επίσης πολλοί Άγγλοι βουλευτές. Το παρόν έδωσε και ο ύπατος αρμοστής της κυπριακής δημοκρατίας κος Ευριπίδης Ευρυβιάδης αλλά και ο γενικός πρόξενος της Ελλάδας κ. Σωτήρης Δεμέστιχας. MPs from the across the political spectrum reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting the Cypriot people and their government in their efforts to reunify their island through a lasting and just settlement of the long-standing Cyprus issue. In a National Federation of Cypriots in the UK event at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday evening, ahead of the tragic 42nd anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation of the northern part of Cyprus, Minister for Europe David Lidington spoke of a “historic opportunity” to reach a settlement. Before the Annual Parliamentary Lobby, the Annual Picket for the Missing Persons, organized by the Organisation of Relatives of Missing Cypriots and the National Federation was held and attended by Sir Alan Meale MP and Mike Freer MP. Welcoming MPs, UK Cypriots and other friends of Cyprus, the Federation President Christos Karaolis said: “What we’re asking for is simple. A just solution based on the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979. A fully functioning state that is in line with the EU acquis and EU values and principles and has a single international legal personality and a single sovereignty.” Mr Lidington, the longest serving Europe Minister in a UK Government, said that we are “on the brink of a historical opportunity” in Cyprus. “I think it would be no exaggeration to say that the chances for an enduring settlement are better now than they were at any time since the period of the aborted Annan plan. And that we have come to this stage is a tribute to the courage of the leaders of both communities.” Regarding the Cyprus issue Mr Evriviades noted that substantial progress has been achieved in aspects of the chapters of governance, economy, European Union and property, however “fundamental differences still persist” and substantial discussions have yet to take place on the chapters of territory and security and guarantees. He then stressed that President Erdogan’s and Turkey’s contribution “in tangible terms” in the ongoing negotiations is vital. “There is no solution that can be reached without Turkey’s input,” said the High Commissioner. The long-serving Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale, and Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus, also made a special reference to the need for President Erdogan to adopt a constructive approach to the Cyprus issue. He also reiterated his and his colleagues’ commitment to “stick with Cyprus for as long as it takes.” Catherine West, a north London Labour MP and Shadow Foreign Minister, said that British parliamentarians will support the settlement process, with her personally pledging to do so for the benefit of the younger generations of Cypriots. Conservative MP David Burrowes, said he “hopes, expects and prays” that we will not be in the same situation next year and that following the EU referendum in the UK he looks forward to a Cyprus referendum on a just settlement. Sir Alan Meale, a veteran of the Cyprus cause Labour MP, stressed that the UK has a great responsibility towards Cyprus, and that Cyprus is hugely important to the UK not least because of the military bases on the island and the 300,000-strong UK Cypriot community. He declared his optimism over the prospect of a just solution, saying that “it will come and things will move so fast that we will be wondering why it took so long.” Sir David Amess MP, Conservative, said he is “very optimistic” about a settlement, pledging to keep working with his colleagues in Parliament to support the UN-led process. MPs Mike Freer, Mark Pritchard and Diana Johnson, as well as Lord Hylton also attended the event and expressed their support for a solution to the Cyprus issue. Rt Hon Theresa Villiers sent her apologies as she was unable to attend the event due to Ministerial responsibilities, however expressed her continued support for Cyprus.