The President of the House of Representatives Yiannakis Omirou completed his three-day visit to London with a meeting in the House of Commons with members of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Cyprus.

Mr Omirou started by updating the British MPs on the state of the Cypriot economy. He said that Cyprus is currently undergoing a difficult transitory phase, following the “catastrophic consequences” of the Eurogroup decisions. “Twelve months on, we strongly question the effectiveness of sterile austerity without balancing-out measures and holistic policies promoting development and the creation of jobs, especially for the young,” stated the Parliament President.

Mr Omirou described the behaviour of the Eurogroup and the troika as “monumentally callous”, as they did not take into account the effects of 40 years of Turkish occupation. “We thus continue to condemn the enforcement of discriminatory policies by the Eurogroup and we support the efforts of the European Parliament to investigate the role, mandate and functioning of the Troika in relation to the countries under adjustment programmes,” added Mr Omirou.

He also referred to the mistrust of the citizens towards the European Union and he stressed the pivotal role that the parliaments of Europe have to play in strengthening the trust of the people in the European edifice.

With regard to the Cyprus issue, Yiannakis Omirou noted that we are at a critical point. He added that it remains to be seen whether Turkey will depart from its traditionally intransigent stance. “Our steadfast aim has been (…) a settlement which will ensure a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality and that will free the country from occupation troops,” reiterated Mr Omirou.

The President of the House of Representatives stressed that Cyprus does not oppose Turkey’s accession to the EU, but added that it insists that Turkey fufills its obligations vis-a-vis the Republic of Cyprus. He also referred to the desired return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants as “a significant first step that would showcase good will on Ankara’s part.”

In relation to the natural gas discovered in Cyprus’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Mr Omirou noted that it upgrades the island’s geostrategic role, it creates opportunities for a new form of cooperation with countries of the region, gives further hope of exiting the economic crisis and contributes to strengthening the European energy security.

After he thanked the MPs for their interest and support in efforts to reach a settlement, he commented that equidistance does not always equate objectivity.

Mr Omirou was then asked a number of questions on a wide range of interest, from the economy and the hydrocarbons, to the Cyprus issue and the EU.

In a statement after the meeting, Yiannakis Omirou spoke of an important opportunity to update all the political powers in the House of Commons, since this was an all-party group. “I must say that there was great understanding from their part about the principles on which the Cyprus issue solution should be based,” he said.

He added that he had the chance to condemn the threats of Turkey against the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus within its EEZ, while at the same time he suggested that the United Kingdom had increased responsibilities as a guarantor power to work for the restitution of Cyprus’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. “It was a lively dialogue, which I think gave us the chance to present the Cyprus Republic’s views,” concluded Yiannakis Omirou.

The organiser of the meeting and head of the APPG for Cyprus Matthew Offord MP said that “the big message that came out of the meeting was the overwhelming strength that British members of Parliament have to seek a solution for Cyprus, for a reunited Cyprus for everyone.” The Conservative North London MP described the meeting as “very productive” as the British politicians “heard what was going on in the island and showed that there is great support from all parliamentary parties.”

“I have to say that the most interesting question was from Roger Gale and Sir Alan Meale who spoke about the EU sanctions and the effect they will have on Cyprus in relation to the Ukraine crisis. They will have repercussions for the island’s economy and we have to ensure that the island isn’t disadvantaged just because of the actions of another government in a different part of the world,” added Mr Offord.

Apart from Matthew Offord, the MPs present at the meeting were Roger Gale, Sir Alan Meale, Andy Love, David Burrowes, Nick de Bois, Jim Dobbin and David Crausby.