Theresa Villiers has issued the following statement about her work on Cyprus:
"For over two decades I have championed the Cyprus cause. No one has highlighted it more often in Parliament than I have, and I’ve visited the island several times to hear from people harmed by Turkey’s invasion. On a number of occasions, I have attended the annual Morphou rally in Cyprus to show solidarity the displaced residents of this town which is twinned with Barnet.
I strongly support a free and united Cyprus. During my time in elected office, I have been involved in countless campaigns and initiatives supporting the Cyprus cause. I have attended hundreds of community events. I have met five successive presidents of the Republic of Cyprus, including President Christodoulides.
I am the President of Conservative Friends of Cyprus and served for some years as a vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus. I have been present for many events to commemorate the tragedies and injustices of 1974, including rallies which used to take place in Trafalgar Square. I continued to attend those rallies during my time as a member of the Cabinet, which was unprecedented.
As an MEP from 1999 to 2005, I supported the successful application by Cyprus to join the EU. Prior to accession, I hosted key visits to Brussels by British Cypriot community leaders, to enable them to make the case for this historic change.
Many times I have intervened in Parliament and with Ministers on matters of importance to the Cypriot community. I have spoken up for enclaved communities. I have repeatedly called for answers on the fate of the Missing and have met the committee undertaking sensitive work to try to identify remains. I have condemned Turkish restrictions on Cyprus aviation and shipping, and denounced their incursion in the Cyprus EEZ. I have called for any new settlement to be free from third country guarantees. And of course I have stated clearly that I believe that Turkish troops should leave Cyprus, so that Cypriots are free to determine their own future.
I have supported Greek schools in my constituency and helped them resolve a range of problems. For example, when there was a threat to abolish the A Level in the Greek language, I persuaded Education Ministers to intervene and save this important academic qualification. Without being able to offer an A Level course, many Greek schools would have had to close.
I was part of the team behind the establishment of the first ever Greek Orthodox secondary school, St Andrew the Apostle. This has gone from strength to strength and has an Outstanding Ofsted rating.
I have regularly hosted Vasilopita cake cutting ceremonies in Parliament as a means to showcase Cypriot culture to MPs.
In April this year, I attended the 90th anniversary dinner of the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood. The guest of honour was President Christodoulides. During his visit, I was able to assist the President’s team in securing meetings with high level advisers to Prime Minister Sunak.
The Conservative Government is committed to supporting the UN process to reach a settlement, which will increase the prosperity of Cyprus, and strengthen the security and stability of the region. I want to see a just, balanced and viable solution agreed between the two sides which respects human rights and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus. I will maintain the pressure on the UK Government to do all it can to facilitate negotiations and support Cypriots in their efforts to reunite their island.
Please be assured of my continuing support for a unified Cyprus and for the British Cypriot community. I work hard on these issues, and fight for your cause every day.
Promoted by Theresa Villiers of 163 High Street, Barnet, EN5 5SU.
