HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Gordon Brown meets Turkish Cypriot leader [December 2009]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 4 December 2009.

The Prime Minister met the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, in the House of Commons today.

Mr Brown took the opportunity to discuss the Cyprus settlement talks with Mr Talat and, in a statement made after the meeting, said that the UK continues to support the progress made in negotiations.

The PM also commended Mr Talat and the President of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias, for the “perseverance and resolve” they have shown while trying to reach a solution.

The Prime Minister said:

“Having striven for a settlement for many years, Mehmet Ali Talat knows well how vital a solution in Cyprus is for all Cypriots as well as for the region and for Europe. I commend both leaders for the perseverance and resolve they have displayed in their search for a settlement.

The two Cypriot leaders have shown enormous courage and determination to get this far. I know that both leaders are fully committed to finding a solution and I hope that the negotiations can be intensified so the two leaders can fully exploit the opportunity that now exists to resolve the issue to the benefit of all Cypriots.

The UK continues to support these efforts and welcomes the good progress made so far. We hope to see further progress over the coming months. With political courage and compromise on both sides, these talks have every chance of success.”