The UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is expected to arrive in Cyprus on 29th November for a two-day visit, following the unsuccessful talks between the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities in Mont Pelerin.

According to diplomatic sources in London, the details of the visit by the Foreign Secretary had started being discussed in the meantime between the two rounds of meetings in the Swiss resort, but the date was finalised right after the conclusion of the talks.

On 14th November Johnson had met with his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides in Brussels on the sidelines of the European Council of Foreign Affairs, in order to get a full update of the settlement talks progress.

The UK government was hoping then that it would sooner rather than later be asked to participate in an international conference dealing with the issue of security and the guarantees.

In light of the latest developments, Secretary Johnson is expected to give a message of support and encouragement so that the settlement talks between President Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustapha Akinci can resume as soon as possible, the same sources said.

The two leaders have been focusing on the criteria of territorial adjustments in the latest round of meetings. An agreement on this chapter would pave the way for the discussion of the security and guarantees chapter.

An indication of the message Boris Johnson will convey has been given by Minister for Europe Sir Alan Duncan. In his second reference to the Cyprus settlement talks in a few days, Sir Alan responded to a written question by Matthew Offord, the Conservative north London MP: “We welcome the courageous leadership of President Anastasiades and Mr Akıncı on the Cyprus Settlement negotiations, and the efforts of the two sides in their recent talks in Mont Pelerin.

“As the UN has commented, despite their best efforts, the Leaders were not at this stage able to reach the necessary further convergences on the criteria for territorial adjustment while in Switzerland.

“We continue to believe that with courage and compromise on both sides a deal is achievable. The UK will continue its steadfast support for a just and lasting settlement, and we stand ready to help bring the process to a successful conclusion.”