Europe Minister Caroline Flint MP set out why a Cyprus settlement is so important to the UK in the 2nd Keith Kyle Memorial Lecture on British-Cypriot Relations at the London School of Economics on Wednesday 25 February.
Caroline Flint said:
“With over 300,000 Greek and Turkish Cypriots living in the UK, a long history of trade and increasing numbers of British people choosing to retire in on the island, the UK and Cyprus have much in common. But, with a solution, this relationship will be even stronger and a resolution in Cyprus is strongly in the UK’s national interest.
With a settlement, the UK will benefit from a Cyprus fulfilling it potential on the international scene, the boost to Turkey’s EU aspirations – which we strongly support and the guarantee of long term stability, peace and security for the people of Cyprus and the wider region.”
Caroline Flint has a strong interest in supporting Cypriots to find a solution to the Cyprus problem and has made it one of her top personal priorities. Following a successful visit to the island in October (in her first week in the job) she has maintained a close interest in developments and visited the island earlier this month, meeting both leaders. In January she announced a UK donation of 50,000 Euros to the UN Mine Action Centre in Cyprus which helped this important confidence building measure continue its work.
The full text of the speech (but NOT of the Question and Answer Session) by Caroline Flint is available online at:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/latest-news/?view=Speech&id=14117650
View Video of the entire Lecture and QnA:
Caroline Flint, MP for Don Valley, was appointed Minister for Europe in October 2008. Her responsibilities include European Union and Europe; Russia, South Caucasus, Central Asia; Balkans; Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova; OSCE and Council of Europe; NATO; and Public Diplomacy Board.
From January until October 2008 Caroline Flint was Minister for Housing. Between June 2007 and January 2008 Ms Flint was Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform. Previously, as Minister for Public Health, she was responsible for taking the Health Act 2006 through Parliament.
Caroline Flint has a strong interest in supporting Cypriots to find a solution to the Cyprus problem and has made it one of her top personal priorities.
Following a successful visit to the island in October (in her first week in the job) she has maintained a close interest in developments and visited the island earlier this month, meeting both leaders. In January she announced a UK donation of 50,000 Euros to the UN Mine Action Centre in Cyprus which helped this important confidence building measure continue its work
The lecture is dedicated to the memory of Keith Kyle, an important scholar, historian, broadcaster, political commentator, a friend of Cyprus, and a long-standing and active member of the Association for Cypriot, Greek & Turkish Affairs. Soon after his death on 21.2.07, the ACGTA, reflecting the respect and affection of its members, decided to establish an annual Keith Kyle Memorial Lecture on British-Cypriot relations and to ask each year a distinguished speaker to deliver it. The first lecture was given by the Rt. Hon. Geoff Hoon, MP.
Dr Zenon Stavrinides
General Secretary, Association for Cypriot, Greek and Turkish Affairs
8 Ganners Mount, Leeds LS13 2PE, Great Britain
Tel: 0113 256 8907 Mobile: 07790 107353
Email: Z.Stavrinides@lineone.net
Visit the ACGTA websites at
http://website.lineone.net/~acgta and http://www.acgta.org/events-online.htm
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