President to meet UK PM in London to discuss Middle East crisis and Cyprob

President Nikos Christodoulides is scheduled to meet British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer in London on Monday, in the first bilateral meeting since the latter’s election.

The Cyprus problem, bilateral relations, regional matters and developments in the Middle East are the main issues the two leaders will discuss, according to a statement issued by Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis.

Meanwhile, a Whitehall source told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that London continued to urge flexibility from all sides in the Cyprus problem and that there was “always hope”, in reference to the upcoming meeting of Christodoulides and Ersin Tatar with the UN secretary general in New York.

“The Turkish Cypriot side no longer talks about sovereign equality as a term for negotiations but is referring to the 3D [points],” that is direct flights, direct trade, direct contacts, the UK source is quoted as saying, viewing this as a sign of flexibility.

The same source said the UK remains in favour of a solution based on UN parameters of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, and said that the UK was monitoring developments and is in contact with all sides.

The president’s meeting with the British PM, is of particular importance, Letymbiotis said, “as it comes at a time when relations between the two countries have been significantly strengthened and have entered a new constructive trajectory.”

The meeting between the two leaders is set to take place at 4.45pm GMT and will be followed by expanded talks.

Among topics on the agenda are Cyprus’ important contribution to humanitarian aid in the region through the Amalthea sea corridor and the Estia plan, and the crucial close coordination between Cyprus and the UK, which enabled the missions, Letymbiotis said.

Christodoulides will brief the British PM on the MED9 Summit held in Cyprus on 11 October, attended by the King of Jordan, during which possible actions to de-escalate the crisis were discussed.

Additionally, Christodoulides will discuss the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, in view of the joint meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, planned for October 15, at UN Headquarters.

Initiatives taken by the Republic since the assumption of office by the present administration towards the resumption of negotiations will be presented, as well as the outcome of the meeting with the UNSG at the UN general assembly.

Letymbiotis, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, and Director of the President’s Diplomatic Office Doros Venezis will accompany the president on his visit to London.

After the meeting, Christodoulides will depart for New York and the joint Greek and Turkish Cypriot meeting with the UNSG.