Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, has paid tribute to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades.
Attending a gala dinner in honour of the President hosted by the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, Theresa said “It is great that the Cypriot diaspora community have come together to honour their outgoing President.”
“I first met Mr Anastasiades around 20 years ago and I know that he has an incredible record of service to his country,” Theresa continued. “He has striven incredibly hard for a solution to reunite Cyprus. It is a shame that his efforts have not been reciprocated by the Turkish Cypriot administration.”
“I will always campaign for a free and united Cyprus. I felt honoured to be part of the group from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus which presented an award to the President to show our high regard for him and all his Government has achieved.”
“It was also excellent that the UK Minister for Europe Leo Docherty was at this celebration. In his speech, he reiterated the UK Government’s support for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement and for the UN-led process to try to secure this outcome.”
“Minister Docherty was correct when he said that such a settlement would bring advantages for all sides, for example in relation to trade and tourism.”
Around 500 attended the function on Saturday evening in the Royal National Hotel in Bedford Way including MPs and distinguished members of the British Cypriot community.
The event was originally planned to mark the 60th anniversary of the creation of the Republic of Cyprus. However, it had to be postponed twice, once because of Covid and once because of the funeral of Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
