Nov152025

On Saturday 15 November 2025, Federation representatives delivered resolutions to the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP and the Turkish Ambassador in London to mark 42 years since the illegal ‘Unilateral Declaration of Independence’ (UDI) made by the occupation regime in the north of Cyprus.

The Federation Officer team delivered the resolution to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street in the afternoon. Federation President Christos Karaolis emphasised in the resolution the illegality and injustice of the invasion, the ‘UDI’ and the on-going occupation of Cyprus. These, Mr Karaolis wrote, “forced 200,000 Cypriots into displacement as well as thousands into disappearance and death.” Non-recognition of the illegal entity in occupied Cyprus has been enshrined in international law, notably UNSC resolutions 550 and 551. That is why, he continues, “non-recognition [of the ‘UDI’] is also true of successive UK Governments.”

In closing, Mr Karaolis added, “UK has a responsibility to Cyprus as the UNSC penholder, a guarantor power and an ally of Cyprus,” to encourage Turkey’s return to the negotiating table for a solution to the Cyprus problem fully in line with the agreed UN framework.

In the evening, the Federation secretariat delivered a resolution to the Ambassador of Turkey at the Turkish Embassy. The resolution called for Turkey’s reversal of the illegal ‘UDI’, and its return to the negotiating table. The letter emphasised that any negotiations must be conducted within the agreed UN framework and international law, “for the reunification of Cyprus on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal  federation with political equality as described in UN resolutions; with a single sovereignty,  single international personality and single citizenship.”

Addressing the Turkish Ambassador, Mr Karaolis states that “the story between Cyprus and Turkey, and so the international community, can be different. President Christodoulides has offered a glimpse of this possible world in his commitment to inviting Turkey to a summit during Cyprus’ European Union presidency next year.” The resolution resolution concludes, “the only way forward is the reunification of Cyprus, in line with the agreed UN framework.”