On Tuesday 15th October, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus held its 2024 Inaugural General Meeting (IGM) of the new Parliamentary term. The Rt. Hon. Caroline Nokes MP stepped down as Chair after a successful term of office, having been elected as a Deputy Speaker.
Bambos Charalambous MP was elected as Chair, alongside a cross-party team of parliamentarians (full list of results below). Sir Roger Gale MP was elected as the APPG’s Honorary President as a recognition of his commitment and dedication to Cyprus and the work of the APPG.
Speaking after his election, Bambos Charalambous MP said “It’s a privilege to be elected Chair of the APPG for Cyprus. I will continue to work on a cross-party basis to see the restoration of negotiations after 50 years of Turkish occupation. As a Guarantor Power the UK has a critical role to play in this effort”. He reiterated that the “only acceptable solution is one that is based on the agreed UN framework of a bizonal, bicommunal, federation”. He went on to say that, “I warmly welcome the meeting between the Prime Minister and the President of Cyprus on 14 October at Downing street. The recent events in the Middle East have once again demonstrated the critical role that Cyprus plays in the Eastern Mediterranean and the strong ties that are shared between the two countries. I want to make sure that the Parliament of the United Kingdom continues to work hand in hand with our friends in Cyprus to deepen these ties.”
Also present at the IGM were Sir Roger Gale MP, Mike Wood MP, Chris Webb MP, Chris Vince MP, Sonia Kumar MP and Jas Athwal MP
Christos Karaolis, was also re-appointed as the Secretariat of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus. He said “I’d like to thank Caroline for her leadership in the last Parliament and I’m delighted that Bambos Charalambous MP was elected as Chair of the Cyprus APPG. He has been a vocal and strong supporter of Cyprus and ofcourse has Cypriot roots himself. I’m really looking forward to continuing to work with Bambos and all the Officers to strengthen UK-Cyprus relations, end the Turkish occupation and deliver a free, united Cyprus”.
APPG for Cyprus
Chair: Bambos Charalambous MP (Southgate and Wood Green, Labour)
Vice-Chairs:
Mike Wood MP (Kingswinford and South Staffordshire, Conservative)
Paulette Hamilton MP (Birmingham Erdington, Labour)
Fabian Hamilton MP (Leeds North East, Labour)
Honorary President: Sir Roger Gale MP (Herne Bay and Sandwich, Conservative)
Honorary Treasurer: Christine Jardine MP (Edinburgh West, Liberal Democrat)
Honorary Officers: Lord Adonis (Labour)