A British MP has expressed her support for Cyprus and regrets the presence of Turkish soldiers in the North.
Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, has expressed regret at the continuing “occupation of Cyprus” northern part by Turkey, vowing at the same time that she will continue to highlight the plight of Cyprus, ‘Famagusta Gazette’ reports.
Villiers attended for the 15th time, the annual rally in support of Cyprus in Trafalgar Square on Sunday, which is organised every year by the National Federation of Cypriots to protest against the continuing division of Cyprus and to call for a negotiated settlement to reunite the island.
She has been supporting the rally for Cyprus ever since she was first elected as an MEP in 1999 and continued to attend when she became MP for Chipping Barnet in 2005.
Following the rally, Villiers said: “It was very sad to be back for yet another year without a solution in Cyprus having been found. It is now almost exactly 40 years since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus split the island’s community. It is a matter of huge regret that Cyprus remains divided in this way.”
She added that she has been campaigning for 15 years for a free and united Cyprus. “I will continue to do all I can to highlight the plight of Cyprus with the international community. I fully support the efforts made by President Anastasiades to negotiate a settlement. This great injustice has gone on for far too long and I welcomed the opportunity to stand alongside many friends of Cyprus once again to call for freedom for Cyprus,” said the Tory politician.
