British High Commissioner says uncertainty in Cyprus cannot continue

British High Commissioner to Cyprus Peter Millett has said that an essential element for the future is that the status quo in Cyprus is unacceptable and ”we cannot continue to have uncertainty and instability on this island.”
In introductory remarks at the launch of the book ”Reflections on the Relations Between Britain and the Republic of Cyprus and the Case of the British Sovereign Base Areas”, edited by Andreas Theophanous and Yiannis Tirkides, Millet said the UK’s commitment to solving the Cyprus problem was demonstrated by the appointment of Joan Ryan as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative to Cyprus.
Millet noted that ”one of the most important messages underlying this book is the importance of building a strong relationship between the UK and Cyprus and looking to the future rather than dwelling on the past,” adding that he fully endorses that message.
”Of course, it is impossible to ignore the past in any international issue. The book therefore starts by trying to set the historical context,” he said and added that ”a British historian would not agree with some of the observations made in the book about the UK‘s role in Cyprus.”
Millet assured that ”we want to work with Cyprus, we have absolutely no interest in working against Cyprus,” adding that ”our cooperation can cover many areas of benefit to both countries, not only continuing to work for a solution to the division of the island, but also working together on EU and regional issues.”
Referring to the future, he said he fully shares the view in the book on ”the need to work with Cyprus on all the issues relating to the island, the region and the EU.”
”Our commitment to solving the Cyprus problem was demonstrated by the appointment of Joan Ryan MP as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative to Cyprus. Her recent visit gave her an opportunity to understand the situation at first hand. She left rather pessimistic, but determined to play a positive role,” he pointed out.
He added that ”an essential element for the future is that the status quo is unacceptable” and that ”we cannot continue to have uncertainty and instability on this island.”
”As each day passes, the issues of greatest importance to Cypriots, for example property, are becoming more difficult to unravel and resolve,” he pointed out and assured that ”we will continue our cooperation with Cyprus.”
He expressed hope that ”we will soon sign a formal memorandum of understanding for cooperation on research and development, and in November we will hold the first UK/Cyprus Forum, bringing academics and experts together to discuss an important issue of mutual interest; the relationship between east and west.”
”This is the way to pursue a more constructive and forward-looking bilateral agenda. From the point of view of the UK and the High Commission, let me thoroughly support Dr Theophanous’ final sentence in his preface to this book, ‘The past cannot be changed. But the challenge is to influence the future in a constructive manner.’ That in a nutshell is my job description. The UK shares and endorses that vision,” he concluded.