Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, and Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green, welcomed the Minister for Europe, The Rt. Hon. David Lidington MP to the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood Centre in Britannia Road, North Finchley, on Tuesday.
The public meeting was well attended and included many VIPs from the Greek Cypriot Community such as: His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira, Alexandros Zenon - The High Commissioner for the Republic of Cyprus, Yiorgos Christofides - Deputy High Commissioner for the Republic of Cyprus, Marina Yannakoudakis - MEP for London, Andreas Paparevipides - Chairman of Democratic Rally UK, Doros Partasides - CYBC TV, and Cllrs John Marshall, Andreas and Joanna Tambourides, Barry Evangeli, and Hugh Rayner. Hugh Raynor was representing Matthew Offord MP for Hendon, who supported the event but was unable to attend.
The Minister assured the large audience present that Britain’s position on Turkey entering the EU had not changed and stated that he could not see how it would be feasible for Turkey to complete its accession process unless there had been an agreement over the future of Cyprus. He added that it was a requirement of the candidate country to show that it has good neighbourly relations, and expressed a hope that the new President of Cyprus would commit himself "to seeking ways to moving forward towards a final agreement."
Mike Freer commended Mr Lidington’s presentation saying: “I welcome David Lidington's re-affirmation of the Government’s commitment to working on a just and fair solution. The fact that the government supports efforts to ensure that a solution is delivered by Cypriots for Cypriots is especially important."
Speaking after the event, Theresa said: "This was a very successful event which showed Barnet’s Conservative MPs giving our constituents the opportunity to meet and debate with decision-makers at the highest level of Government."
"David Lidington gave a speech of real substance and thoughtfulness. He firmly repeated the UK Government's support for Cypriots in their efforts to achieve a just, lasting and balanced solution to reunite the island. His confirmation of the robust stance taken by William Hague on the right of the Republic of Cyprus to exploit newly discovered hydro-carbon deposits was warmly welcomed by the audience, as was his statement on the importance of Turkey's complying with its obligations under the Ankara protocol."
"The evening also provided a great opportunity to demonstrate the warmth of the links between Barnet Council and Cyprus, particularly its twin town of Morphou. In my speech, I also emphasised the strength of the relationship between the Conservative Party and the British Cypriot community. The fact that a Conservative Secretary of State for Education has given the go ahead for the country's first ever Greek Orthodox secondary school shows how seriously we take the Cypriot community. I believe the school will provide a first class education as well as a great opportunity to celebrate Greek culture."
Theresa closed the meeting by thanking David Lidington and everyone for coming, and made special mention to those at the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood Centre who had made the evening happen.