UK Minister for Europe and North America Visits Cyprus for Meetings

Stephen Doughty Heads to Cyprus Amid Preparations for Geneva Talks

On Friday, March 7, 2025, Stephen Doughty, the UK’s Minister of State for Europe and North America, embarks on an important visit to Cyprus. This trip is not just any run-of-the-mill diplomatic mission; it sets the stage for an informal expanded meeting on the Cyprus issue scheduled in Geneva on March 17-18, 2025.

Key Meetings on the Agenda

While in Cyprus, Minister Doughty has a packed schedule, meeting with influential leaders including:

• President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace
• Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in the north
• Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos
• Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna
• House President and Disy party President Annita Demetriou
• Akel’s General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou
• Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhurman

Understanding the Context of the Visit

Doughty’s visit carries significant weight for a few key reasons:

1. This marks the first engagement between Sir Keir Starmer’s government and the president of the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar.
2. The trip precedes important Geneva talks that will include representatives from both sides of Cyprus, as well as key players like Greece, Turkey, and the UK.
3. It comes on the heels of rising tensions following Starmer’s late 2024 visit, where his exclusive meetings with Greek Cypriots were scrutinized.

Challenges and Expectations Ahead

The Geneva talks and Minister Doughty’s visit will encounter their fair share of hurdles, including:

• A statement from TRNC’s foreign minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, asserting that the forthcoming discussions are “a waste of time.”
• Deep-seated disagreements on solutions, as the TRNC advocates for a two-state model, contrasting the views of the UK, Republic of Cyprus, and the UN, who favor a federal solution.
• President Christodoulides of the Greek Cypriot side is keen to restart negotiations from where they were halted in Crans-Montana, hoping for a return to the agreed framework.

The Significance of the UK’s Role

The involvement of the UK in these discussions is pivotal for several reasons:

• With its history as a former colonial power, the UK holds a unique position as one of the guarantor powers for the island.
• Additionally, the UK’s two military bases in Cyprus play a crucial role in regional security operations in the Middle East.

Looking Ahead

Minister Doughty’s visit to Cyprus signals a substantial diplomatic initiative aimed at fostering dialogue among all parties engaged in the Cyprus issue. Nonetheless, the stark contrasts in positions between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides pose significant challenges to any progress in negotiations. The upcoming Geneva talks will be a critical turning point in shaping the future trajectory of discussions surrounding Cyprus.

For further insight into the historical context of the Cyprus issue, check out the United Nations Cyprus Problem website.