Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, said in statements after his meeting with British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at 10 Downing Street in London on Wednesday that “we are very close to reaching” an agreement on defence and security issues.
He explained that he discussed bilateral relations with the British Prime Minister and specifically, “to proceed in the near future with a strategic agreement on defence and security,” adding that “we are very close to finalising such an agreement”.
He also said that they discussed developments regarding the Cyprus issue and the role of the UK as a guarantor power. He highlighted two key developments, the upcoming visit of María Angela Holguin Cuellar, who was reappointed as the UNSG’s Personal Envoy for Cyprus, and the appointment of Johannes Hahn as the EU’s Special Envoy for Cyprus. He emphasised the importance of the UK’s role as a guarantor country which participated in expanded meetings, such as the upcoming Geneva meeting in late July, noting that they discussed about the resumption of substantive negotiations, which is the main goal.
The two also discussed the relationship between the EU and the UK, especially considering that Cyprus will assume the EU Council Presidency on January 1, 2026.
( Source : CNA)
