British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to visit Cyprus on Tuesday as part of a regional tour, according to an announcement from the Cypriot presidency on Sunday.
The one-day working visit highlights the "excellent relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom," stated the office of Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. The visit forms part of Starmer's broader tour of the region.
"The meeting between President Christodoulides and Prime Minister Starmer signifies an important milestone in the strong bilateral relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom, which have entered a new, constructive era through their Strategic Cooperation," the statement added.
The leaders will hold a private meeting on Tuesday morning, followed by expanded discussions involving delegations from both countries.
Key issues to be addressed
The agenda will focus on bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on the ongoing Strategic Dialogue between Cyprus and the UK. Topics will include defense and security, education, culture, economy, trade, investments, and energy.
Discussions are also expected to address the Cyprus problem, including efforts to resume negotiations for a resolution. Other topics will include migration, the situation in Ukraine, and EU-UK relations.
Regional developments and Cyprus’ historical role in providing humanitarian aid, particularly through initiatives like Amalthea, will be a focal point. Talks will also touch on the evacuation of civilians from conflict zones.
Broader context and reactions
Starmer’s visit to Cyprus will follow stops in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. According to The Independent, he is expected to arrive in Cyprus on Monday night.
The visit has sparked reactions from the Turkish Cypriot leadership. Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar’s office expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of prior communication regarding the visit. The statement urged the UK to maintain neutrality as a guarantor power and requested that Starmer also meet with Tatar.
“We expect common sense to prevail and the UK Prime Minister to meet with President Ersin Tatar during his visit to the island,” the statement noted.
Meanwhile, leading members of the British opposition Conservative Party have urged Starmer to make clear his position on British sovereign base areas in Cyprus. Shadow Defence Secretary Mark Francois and Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel criticized any potential transfer of these territories to Cypriot control, amid growing local demands for sovereignty over the base areas.
Historical significance
This marks the first visit of a British Prime Minister to Cyprus since Edward Heath's trip in 1971. Former Prime Minister John Major visited the island in 1993 for a Commonwealth heads of government meeting.
Cyprus, a former British colony from 1878 to 1960, hosts two significant British military bases. These bases have played a strategic role in operations targeting Houthi forces in Yemen and Islamic State targets in Syria, among other missions.
Starmer's visit underscores the evolving dynamics of UK-Cyprus relations and highlights the island's strategic importance in regional and global contexts. Photo by Prime Minister’s Office, Wikimedia commons.
