The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK hosted a Cyprus Information Day in Parliament on the dark anniversary of the illegal “unilateral declaration of independence (UDI)” in Cyprus’ Turkish occupied areas.
The day was an opportunity for MPs to renew their pledge and support for the reunification of Cyprus and also to discuss the Cyprus issue with the Federation President and representatives.
His Excellency, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, who was in London to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Foreign Secretary Rt. Hon. James Cleverly MP, also participated in the Cyprus Information Day, taking the time to talk with Parliamentarians.
Parliamentarians were informed about the latest developments in Cyprus, including the recent failed attempts by Turkey for recognition of the illegally occupied area.
MPs sent a clear message about the need for consistent implementation of international law and the reunification of Cyprus.
Parliamentarians who joined the event to pledge support included Sir Roger Gale MP (Chair of Cyprus APPG), Caroline Nokes (Vice-Chair of Cyprus APPG), Theresa Villiers MP (Vice-Chair of Cyprus APPG), Bambos Charalambous MP (Vice-Chair of Cyprus APPG and Shadow Middle East Minister), Mark Jenkinson MP (Treasurer of Cyprus APPG), Mike Freer MP (Minister of Justice), Fiona Bruce (Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief), Stephen Doughty MP (Shadow Europe Minister), Fabian Hamilton MP (Shadow Peace and Disarmament Minister), Alyn Smith MP (Foreign Affairs Spokesperson for the SNP), Gagan Mohindra MP (PPS to the Foreign Secretary), Catherine West MP (Shadow Asia & the Pacific Minister), Dr. Mathew Offord MP, Geraint Davies MP, Sir Stephen Timms MP, Paulette Hamilton MP, Martin Vickers MP and Chris Stephens MP.
Political Assistants of Thangnam Debbonaire MP and Mark Menzies MP also attended.
In addition, the Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus, Rt Hon Sir Roger Gale MP, and Shadow Minister of Europe, Stephen Doughty MP, recorded messages of support on the dark anniversary.
Sir Roger Gale MP stated that, “As with the message being sent by the UK to the Russians over Ukraine, we have to send a similar message to Turkey that we will not tolerate or recognise an illegal state.”
Stephen Doughty MP similarly noted that, “As a difficult anniversary passes on the 15 November, I want to reemphasise that we continue to support steps to resolve the Cyprus issue and achieve lasting a peace.”
On 15 November 1983, nine years after the Turkish invasion of the island, Turkey instigated and endorsed a “unilateral declaration of independence” in Cyprus’ occupied areas, announced by the Turkish Cypriot leadership. The United Nations Security Council with Resolutions 541 and 550 calls upon all States to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, unity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus. They also describe the UDI as “legally invalid.”
The illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in the occupied areas is recognised only by Turkey.