|
International desk
The Cypriot community in London is waiting for the peace talks taking place between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots with optimism and hope, with London MP Theresa Villiers for Chipping Barnet and Shadow Transport Secretary issuing a statement:
"There are so many hopes and expectations vested in these talks. Everyone who really cares about Cyprus wants to see these negotiations succeed and lead to a just and lasting settlement.”
The Cypriot Federation of Great Britain the representative body for Greek-Cypriots in the UK said today:
“The Federation applauds the commencement of fully fledged negotiations between the two leaders and offers its best wishes for a successful outcome. We have no doubt that President Christofias will approach the talks with good will and a clear determination to reach a just and lasting settlement based on key principles already agreed by the two sides, UN resolutions and international and European Union law. We hope that Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will be able to reciprocate and that Turkey will not be an obstacle to this crucial effort which is aimed at ending the Turkish military occupation of the northern part of Cyprus and reuniting the country in the interest of all Cypriots.”
The Turkish Cypriot newspaper in London "Londra Gazette" described the talks as "the majority of commentators and analysts believe that the political situation in Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece, mean that a solution is now, more than ever, possible."
"We must, at long last, put an end to the suffering of our people and reunite our country," President Christofias speaking to reporters before going to the meeting, held in an abandoned airport compound on the outskirts of the divided capital.
London is home to an estimated 300,000 Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
photo credit: flickr.com
|
