Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, has written to the newly arrived High Commissioner for Cyprus to congratulate him on his new role and welcome him to London.
HE Kyriakos Kouros previously served as Permanent Secretary of the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs and takes over from Andreas Kakouris whose term as High Commissioner came to an end earlier this month.
Welcoming Mr Kouros, Theresa said, "I look forward to engaging with the new High Commissioner as part of my long-running work to support Cypriots seeking a just and lasting settlement to reunite their island. I have known a succession of Cyprus High Commissioners and they have all served with distinction. I am sure His Excellency Mr Kouros will continue in this distinguished tradition."
Theresa's letter to the Commissioner:
Your Excellency
Congratulations on your appointment as High Commissioner for Cyprus. I would like to welcome you to your new role. I do hope you enjoy your time in London.
I have had a longstanding interest in Cyprus matters. My Chipping Barnet constituency is home to many Cypriots. I have been campaigning for more than 20 years for freedom for Cyprus. I strongly believe it is vital that Cyprus is united once again so all Cypriots can live together in harmony. I appreciate the pain felt about the division of the island and very much regret that this year will see the 50th anniversary of the invasion by Turkey. Half a century of separation is far too long.
I would be very keen to meet you to hear about the latest developments in relation to the work of the Government of Cyprus in relation to possible future negotiations.
I am sure that you will receive a warm welcome from the British Cypriot community. I wish you well for what I am sure will be a very successful posting as High Commissioner.
Kind regards
Theresa Villiers
