DOING BUSINESS C YPRUS 38 UNITED KINGDOM EDITION INSIGHT M<strong>in</strong>ister of Foreign Affairs Constant<strong>in</strong>os Kombos The <strong>UK</strong> is an important and strategic ally for <strong>Cyprus</strong>. What are the key pillars that form this strong relationship and how do you see this bilateral partnership develop<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the future?
DOING BUSINESS C YPRUS 39 UNITED KINGDOM EDITION The relationship between <strong>Cyprus</strong> and the <strong>UK</strong> is def<strong>in</strong>ed by our common history and shared values, underp<strong>in</strong>ned by the close and steadfast people-to-people contacts, and a mutually beneficial cooperation on a wide range of areas, both on a bilateral and multilateral level. Our ties date back to the 12th century when Richard the Lionheart landed <strong>in</strong> <strong>Cyprus</strong> <strong>in</strong> search of his sister and his bride Berengaria. Despite difficult and turbulent moments <strong>in</strong> our history, our countries cont<strong>in</strong>ue to enjoy a strong, pragmatic, and deeply rooted relationship with immense potential. Notable areas of our bilateral ties <strong>in</strong>clude education, bus<strong>in</strong>ess, services and trade. Cooperation also extends to security and defence, which becomes even more important <strong>in</strong> the current turbulent geopolitical environment. In fact, over the last decade, bilaterally and through our countries’ participation <strong>in</strong> the Coalition aga<strong>in</strong>st ISIS, <strong>Cyprus</strong> and the <strong>UK</strong> have built a close partnership <strong>in</strong> the field of security, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g counterterrorism. The strength of the relationship was also evident <strong>in</strong> <strong>2023</strong> when, through the activation of the National Crisis Management Plan ESTIA, <strong>Cyprus</strong> and the <strong>UK</strong> cooperated closely for the repatriation of our nationals as well as nationals of other states, from Sudan. The important relationship that <strong>Cyprus</strong> and the <strong>UK</strong> share – and seek to develop further – was reaffirmed <strong>in</strong> November 2022 with the sign<strong>in</strong>g of a Memorandum of Understand<strong>in</strong>g, establish<strong>in</strong>g a strategic cooperation, thus illustrat<strong>in</strong>g the close partnership which exists between our two countries. The MoU opens the way for further strengthen<strong>in</strong>g and broaden<strong>in</strong>g our relationship across many areas of shared <strong>in</strong>terest. We expect to see <strong>in</strong>creased opportunities for trade, professional services, shipp<strong>in</strong>g, and green growth. IOur One of the most dynamic aspects of countries cont<strong>in</strong>ue to our relationship is, undoubtedly, the enjoy a strong, pragmatic, vibrant Cypriot community <strong>in</strong> the <strong>UK</strong>. The Cypriot diaspora <strong>in</strong> the <strong>UK</strong>, which and deeply rooted relationship amounts to more than 300,000 people, with immense potential. is the largest community of overseas Cypriots. They have been a vigorous and strong advocate of the relationship between our two countries, and <strong>in</strong> many ways cont<strong>in</strong>ue to be a vital driv<strong>in</strong>g force for our future ties. British universities have also educated thousands of Cypriots, send<strong>in</strong>g back to the island generations of Cypriot professionals who practice law, medic<strong>in</strong>e, account<strong>in</strong>g and more. Moreover, British retirees have made <strong>Cyprus</strong> their home, and actively contribute to their local communities. On a political level, we consider that our countries’ mutual commitment to peace and democracy, form the foundation of our relationship. <strong>Cyprus</strong> and the <strong>UK</strong> share common values when it comes to the adherence to <strong>in</strong>ternational law, and the promotion and protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights. Our countries are staunch advocates of the pr<strong>in</strong>ciples of the Charter of the United Nations, which <strong>in</strong>clude respect for the rules-based order and resolv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>ternational disputes through peaceful means. It is these pr<strong>in</strong>ciples which are at the core of our efforts to reunify our country and br<strong>in</strong>g an end to the division and cont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g illegal Turkish occupation of <strong>Cyprus</strong>. The <strong>UK</strong>, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has a special role to play <strong>in</strong> support<strong>in</strong>g our s<strong>in</strong>cere efforts to reach a comprehensive solution to the <strong>Cyprus</strong> Issue, on the basis of the agreed framework for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as def<strong>in</strong>ed by relevant UN Security Council resolutions. n
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