Press release

Foreign Office Minister hosts bi-communal Cyprus seminar

Minister for Europe commends work of both Chambers of Commerce of Cyprus to build trust between communities.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Minister for Europe David Lidington today hosted a seminar highlighting the benefits of a Cyprus settlement, and the value of practical reconciliation initiatives in support of a settlement.

The Minister commended the work of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce in building cooperation and trust between communities in Cyprus.

Minister for Europe Mr Lidington said:

The UK remains among the strongest advocates of a Cyprus settlement. So I was delighted to welcome the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, and the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation to the FCO today.

The Chambers’ work demonstrates that business can play an important role in building trust and co-operation between the two communities and in highlighting how a settlement would bring economic benefits to all Cypriots.

They are part of a wider movement of grassroots initiatives on the island demonstrating that the two communities can achieve more together than they can apart, and complement the UN-led settlement talks.

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Published 2 March 2015