Relations may be cool on the surface, but underneath Cyprus and Britain continue day-to-day co-operation.
On Monday British Minister of State responsible for Counter Terrorism and the Middle East, Kim Howells, was in Cyprus to discuss issues surrounding terrorism, drugs trafficking and security issues with the Cypriot Minister of Justice and Public Order Sofoklis Sofokleous.
Howells said that Cyprus and Britain should “deepen their already historical, friendly and firm relations in many other aspects as well, such as combating terrorism, use and traffic of drugs, and money laundering, so that Cyprus maintains the security it offers to its citizens and tourists”.
The Cypriot Minister invited Howells to visit Cyprus again to discuss the relevant issues.
Later on, the British Minister informed journalists during a meeting at the residence of the British High Commissioner to Cyprus, about this year’s Asia – Europe Meeting (ASEM) Interfaith Dialogue that takes place in the southeastern coastal town of Larnaca from 3 – 5 July.
Howells, who will be representing Britain at the Meeting, said that Cyprus is the right place for hosting the Meeting, since it is a very important strategic place.
“The Cypriot Minister informed me earlier on Cyprus’ relationship with all countries that surround it, like Libya, Lebanon, Syria and Israel. Cyprus is such a strategic place and probably more now than it has ever been in its very long and very strategic history. Although a very small country it is very well connected”, he noted.
Referring to terrorism and intercommunal disputes, he said that Britain is a country with a past in such issues.
“We lost 3,500 people due to disputes in northern Ireland. In Britain we know the need to get communities to try to talk to each other. There is no special key that is going to unlock peace in the future. You have to tackle it in lots of different ways. And try to argue for peace and reconciliation and harmony between faith and ethnic groups” he said.
He concluded by saying that meetings like the Interfaith Meeting, contribute to the exchange of ideas and views on how to accommodate people of different religions within countries of different religions.
