Nicosia relies on the UK’s role as guarantor power for a substantive and results-oriented discussion towards the resumption of the talks for the solution of the Cyprus problem, Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides told UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy, whom he received at the Presidential Palace, on Friday afternoon.
Lammy said that the UK, as a guarantor power stands “behind the UN Secretary General in the process and hoping that we can get to a settlement and we will do all we can to continue to work with you and to achieve it”.
Welcoming Lammy, who, earlier met with his Cypriot counterpart, Constantinos Kombos at the Foreign Ministry, Christodoulides said “we are very glad to have you here. Your visit is very important and timely, having in mind the new page in our bilateral relations”, he said, expressing Nicosia’s “clear political will” to work to enhance even more bilateral cooperation at all levels.
“At the same time having in mind the developments in our region, the upcoming conference for Cyprus in New York, we rely on your role also as a penholder, as a guarantor power in order to have a substantial and results-oriented discussion towards the resumption of the talks for the solution of the (Cyprus) problem, based always on the UN Security Council resolutions,” he added.
Referring to Cyprus’ EU Presidency in the first half of 2026, and noting that “we were not very happy with the outcome of the referendum (Brexit), but we fully respect the will of the British people,” he said that “during our Presidency, and not only, we will do our utmost in order to come closer together. We need to work together, the challenges are common, so, we need to enhance our cooperation at the level of the European Union and the UK and tackle the challenges ahead of us.”
Lammy thanked Christodoulides “for the warm hospitality and the welcome”.
“It’s wonderful to be back in Cyprus, and it’s obviously wonderful to be here as Foreign Secretary. To be here at a time when we have the strongest of bilateral and strategic relationships and to continue to build on that,” he said. Noting that his visit to Nicosia takes place “at a time of very big geopolitical challenge, regional instability and obviously”, he said that they “very much value the close working with the Cypriot government. I know the Prime Minister values working with you in these challenging times”, he added.
Lammy also said that they “very much look forward” to Cyprus’ EU Presidency. “In so many ways, it’s serendipity that the closest of friends can work together. And of course, we have reset our relationship with the European Union, and we welcome that. But as we move into this new era, it is wonderful that it is under your Presidency where we’ll be able to work together and advance issues of mutual interest, particularly at a time of war in the continent here, in Europe,” he said.
And, of course, he noted, “as a guarantor power we stand behind the UN Secretary General in the process yand hoping that we can get to a settlement and we will do all we can to continue to work with you and to achieve it.”
In his statements to journalists, after the Christodoulides meeting with Lammy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, stated that it was “a particularly important visit to Cyprus,” adding that it follows a series of recent meetings between the Cyprus and UK leaderships. Referring to the visit last December of British Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer to Cyprus, he recalled that it took place 53 years after the last visit by a British Premier to the island, noting that President Christodoulides and Starmer met at least three times in recent months.
In relation to the Cyprus issue, noting that in a few days the informal meeting is to take place in New York, “in which the United Kingdom will be present”, Kombos said that issues concerning the methodology, the course of the effort and where the United Kingdom can assist were discussed, “always starting from the basic principled position which is persistence and commitment to the framework set by the Security Council resolutions.”
In a comment by a journalist that Lammy was in Ankara prior to his Cyprus visit, Kombos said “we were briefed on what concerns us regarding the Cyprus issue, what was discussed”. Referring to the visit this week of the UN Secretary-General Personal Envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, to London, Kombos said “we had the opportunity to exchange views on how their interlocutors see the developments, but of course also on their own positions and opinions on the issue”.
Asked by a journalist if he could be more specific regarding his reference to methodology, Kombos said that he was referring to the way in which some result could be achieved in New York that keeps the process going, how to improve the course of the recent process. “Certainly, there are things that can be done – if someone has the goal of intensifying dialogue by returning to substantive negotiations – issues that concern and touch on the methodology or the intensity of the discussions can certainly have a significant impact,” he said.
“It is part of our approach, this is what we seek, and the contribution of any of the participants in the conference, we believe will be particularly beneficial and constructive,” he added.
Asked if there is anything new regarding Holguin’s current contacts in Paris, he said that he expected to be informed within the day.
( Source: CNA)
