Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos announced the finalization of the strategic dialogue between Cyprus and the United Kingdom at the end of this year, after his meeting on Thursday at the British Foreign Office with the new Undersecretary of State for European Affairs, Lord Watt.
In a statement outside the Foreign Office, Mr. Kombos said that during the meeting the intention of the two sides to proceed with the strengthening of bilateral relations that had been launched during his previous visit to London in July was confirmed. Among other things, he stressed that the strategic dialogue between the two states has now been "decided and finalized", which is expected to take place at the end of the year, while issues related to its preparation were also discussed.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs made special reference to the issues concerning the British Bases in Cyprus. He pointed out that at the meeting, issues that had been raised during the previous contacts between the two sides returned, while new parameters were also presented. Nicosia, as he noted, is now seeking the creation of an "institutionalized, structured dialogue", with the aim of resolving a series of problems related to the British Bases. "This has been set by us and we are waiting for the finalization of a date for the start of exactly such a dialogue," he said.
The meeting also focused on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem. Mr. Kombos briefed Lord Watt on Nicosia's approach following the recent visit of the UN Secretary-General, as well as on the efforts of his personal envoy. The Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated Nicosia's will to resume substantive negotiations as soon as possible, on the basis of the agreed framework.
At the same time, he called for the "active, firm assistance and support" of the United Kingdom in the efforts on the Cyprus problem, underlining its status as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The two sides agreed to remain in touch both on the Cyprus problem and bilateral relations as well as on issues related to regional developments.
