The UK is ready to participate in the multiple party conference on Cyprus in Geneva at an “appropriate” level, a Foreign Office official said.

Responding to a written question by Baroness Hussein-Ece, the Minister of State Baroness Anelay said: “The UK welcomes the decision of the leaders of the two Cypriot communities to proceed to a conference on Cyprus with the guarantor powers starting on 12 January 2017.

“The UK stands ready to participate at an appropriate level and we look forward to receiving further details from the UN and two sides in due course.”

During a House of Lords debate on Cyprus on Tuesday Baroness Anelay said that the UK government welcomes the progress in the settlement talks and commends the courageous leadership of President Anastasiades and Mr Akinci.

“We encourage the leaders to take this opportunity to secure a just and lasting settlement,” noted the Foreign Office Minister, repeating Prime Minister May’s assurances to President Anastasiades that “the UK will continue its steadfast support for the settlement process.”

As far as the Geneva conference is concerned she said that “the guarantor powers and perhaps one or two other representatives will be present.”

Baroness Anelay also reiterated the UK’s willingness “to consider whatever arrangements the two sides leading this process can agree on to meet the security needs of a reunited Cyprus.” She commented that “both sides recognise that future security arrangements will need to enable both communities to feel safe.”

She also reassured the members of the House of Lords taking part in the debate that the British offer to cede up to half of the sovereign base area in terms of its space “would not in any way undermine our security position in the sovereign base itself.”