Cyprus Mail 18 September 2019 - Cyprus News Agency
The visit by the UK’s Secretary of State for Brexit Stephen Barclay to Cyprus on Wednesday is part of the British government’s engagement with EU member states “as the UK seeks to reach a deal with the backstop removed,” a spokesperson for the Department for Exiting the EU (DExEU) told the Cyprus News Agency in London.
Barclay will be meeting with European counterparts and business leaders to provide an update on the latest talks, they added.
“As well as his visits to member states this week, the Secretary of State will be stepping up his engagement with Michel Barnier over the coming days, following on from Monday’s constructive meeting in Luxembourg,” said the spokesperson.
Responding to a question about the post-Brexit future of Cypriot nationals living in the UK, the DExEU spokesperson noted: “We have made an unequivocal guarantee to the 30,000 Cypriot nationals living and working in the UK. They will have absolute legal certainty of the rights to work, study and access benefits and services on the same basis as now under any Brexit scenario.
“We welcome Cyprus’ pledge to protect the rights of UK nationals living in Cyprus before exit day. Other member states should follow Cyprus` lead and do all they can to protect UK nationals living in the EU.”
