Britain hopes to improve relations with Cyprus

British Minister for Europe Geoff Hoon has expressed the wish for an improvement of relations between Cyprus and Britain to an extent that would put aside disappointment and distrust regarding London‘s policy on the Cyprus problem, the Cyprus News Agency reported from London.

Speaking after a meeting in London with Hoon, the President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Demetris Christofias said, “we have decided to maintain close contact and each side will make efforts in the direction of improving relations between the two countries.”

Christofias said Hoon showed understanding to the positions of the Greek Cypriot side regarding the July 8 agreement and how it will be pushed forward, the issue of trade between the EU and the areas of the Republic under Turkish occupation, as well as bilateral relations between Cyprus and Britain.

Asked about Britain‘s position regarding the outcome of meetings between the representatives of the leaders of the two communities, Christofias said “we shared our disappointment with this development.”

Invited to say if Britain is ready to undertake an initiative on the Cyprus problem, Christofias said no such intention was expressed.

Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on 8 July 2006, during a meeting in Nicosia in the presence of UN official Ibrahim Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.