The chief Turkish Cypriot peace negotiator is to hold the first formal talks with the British government in over forty years.
Turkish Cypriot chief negotiator Kudret Özersay is to meet a Foreign Office minister
Kudret Özersay, who is leading the most advanced Cypriot peace talks for a decade with his Greek Cypriot opposite number Andreas Mavroyannis, is expected to meet Europe minister David Lidington at the Foreign Office (FCO).
The visit follows an invitation from the FCO which, in an unprecedented development, was also extended to Turkish Cypriot president Derviş Eroğlu.
FIRST SENIOR CONTACT SINCE 1974
Britain does not recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as a separate country but has regarded its leaders as representatives of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Next week’s meeting will mark the most senior-level contact between UK and Turkish Cypriot government since the island was divided by war in 1974.
When Londra Gazete broke news of the invitation to Mr Eroğlu last month, an FCO spokesperson said it was “important that the UK…maintains high-level contacts with a range of Cypriots” but would not disclose the identities of individuals invited.
It is not clear what Mr Eroğlu’s reply to the FCO invitation was, if indeed he replied at all.
WELCOME FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS
Progress in the Cyprus talks was welcomed by the Turkish Cypriot peer, Baroness Hussein-Ece.
“There are some very positive moods,” she told Londra Gazete.
“There seems to be a will to resolve the issue after so long and it is in the interests of the communities to come up with a settlement that produces equality of interests and prosperity for all.”
Mr Özersay will also meet members of the Turkish Cypriot community at the Grand Palace Banqueting suite in Wood Green on Wednesday 11 June. The open event will begin at 7pm.