The Association of Rizokarpasso was represented by its President, Mary Karaolis, at the Annual Cyprus Parliamentary meeting and reception in the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, 14 July. The guest speaker at the meeting and reception was His Excellency the Foreign Minister of Cyprus, Dr Constantinos Kombos. The event was organised by the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK jointly with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus and was attended by 27 MPs and Lords as well as a large number of Cypriot diaspora guests.
Bambos Charalambous MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus welcomed Parliamentarians and Guests to the event and emphasised the important work of the APPG in raising awareness about Cyprus in Parliament.
The Foreign Minister of Cyprus, Dr Constantinos Kombos, gave the main address. Dr Kombos thanked all parliamentary friends of Cyprus for their support for Cyprus, before saying that UK-Cyprus relations are stronger than ever adding that “there is plenty of room to work together constructively”. The Foreign Minister also described Cyprus as a “bridge between the Middle East and Europe” and a “credible, reliable ally and friend”. On the Cyprus problem, he said “I know this is something that is at the heart of many of you here”, before emphasising that our side is “ready for substantive negotiations, only and exclusively within the framework set by the UN Security Council”.
Europe Minister Stephen Doughty MP praised the work that the Federation does “speaking up for Cypriots across the UK” and highlighted the strong presence of Cypriots in his own constituency in Wales. Minister Doughty also highlighted the great relationship he and the UK Government has with Foreign Minister Kombos and Cyprus more broadly. He congratulated Dr Kombos for a successful Cyprus EU Council Presidency, which “strengthened EU-UK ties”. Additionally, Minister Doughty underscored that “as a guarantor power (the UK) remains committed to supporting a just and lasting settlement” for Cyprus, namely a Bizonal Bicommunal Federation with political equality.
Shadow Europe Minister Wendy Morton MP also thanked the Federation for the work that it does. Shadow Minister Morton emphasised the “enduring friendship” between the UK and Cyprus, as well as the “valuable contribution that British Cypriots make to every aspect of life here in the UK”. She went on to say that for “many families the legacy of the 1974 conflict remains deeply personal”. She underlined that “the UK has consistently supported efforts to achieve a comprehensive and lasting settlement under UN auspices and the UN framework.”
Liberal Democrat Business Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP also spoke at the event. Olney stressed that she adds her party’s support to the cross-party support to Cyprus. She also committed her party to the “goal of reuniting Cyprus”.
Sir Roger Gale MP, Honorary President of the APPG for Cyprus said that he came to the event “as a Cypriot”. He went on to add that “52 years since the Turkish invasion, too many people did not live to return to their homes.” Finally, he reiterated that he will stand with Cyprus for as long as it takes.
The Federation’s President, Christos Karaolis, in his welcome remarks expressed his appreciation to the Parliamentary friends of Cyprus for attending the event, before highlighting the further strengthening of bilateral relations between the UK and Cyprus in recent years. He went on to say that “since 2022, Cyprus and the UK have signed two MoU’s encompassing policy areas from defence to climate” and thanked Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for his “historic visit to Cyprus”. Mr Karaolis also stressed that “under the leadership of our next Prime Minister, it is a priority of ours to ensure that these relationships not only endure but flourish.” Finally, he spoke about the effort to end Turkey’s illegal on-going occupation, reiterating the steadfast commitment of the Federation and Cypriot diaspora to a solution within the agreed UN framework.
