Dec172025

At this very special time of year, I would like to send my warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026.

As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the story of our community – its resilience and unity as well as continuous and unwavering commitment to Cyprus. This has been a year of transition. The UK has completed its first full year under Prime Minister Keir Starmer. President Nikos Christodoulides participated in two informal UN-led meetings aimed at restarting negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus issue. And in the occupied areas, the Turkish Cypriot community chose a new leader, Tufan Erhürman, signalling a desire for a different path.

These developments remind us that change is always possible, but they also remind us of what has not changed. Cyprus remains divided, its northern part under illegal Turkish occupation – 51 long years after the illegal invasion of 1974. To all of you who were made refugees or lost loved ones, you are in our thoughts and motivate us at every step of our campaign. Our campaign for a Free, United Cyprus and the advancement of our UK Cypriot diaspora has continued to be focus this year.

Advocating for a Free, United Cyprus

The UN’s informal meetings brought new energy to the Cyprus issue. The UK was represented by Europe Minister Stephen Doughty, and agreements were reached on further talks, the re-appointment of a UN envoy, and confidence-building measures. Meanwhile, relations between the UK and Cyprus continued to deepen, symbolised by President Christodoulides’s historic to 10 Downing Street in May. This was the third such meeting with Prime Minister Starmer in just nine months. Throughout these developments, the Federation has amplified the campaign for a Free, United Cyprus.

We strengthened our ongoing engagement with the UK Government, the Foreign Office, and Parliamentarians across the political spectrum.

 

Every year, we launch the #HandsOffCyprus campaign to mark the illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus on July 20th 1974. This year, from the northernmost corners of Scotland to the southern shores of Cornwall, MPs from 423 constituencies received your emails calling for Cyprus’ freedom and reunification.

A cross-party group of MPs from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus visited Cyprus in April. The MPs were hosted as guests of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus to discuss the latest developments on the Cyprus issue and the continued strengthening of UK-Cyprus relations.

In July, we were also joined by more than 25 Ministers, Shadow Ministers, Party Spokespersons and Parliamentarians at our Annual Cyprus Parliamentary Meeting and Reception. The event’s main speaker was Cypriot Deputy Europe Minister Marilena Raouna, who briefed attendees on the latest developments on the Cyprus issue.

We also marked 42 years since the occupation regime’s illegal ‘Unilateral Declaration of Independence” of 1983. Federation representatives delivered resolutions to Downing Street and to the Turkish Embassy, with a clear message to end the occupation and reunite Cyprus based on the agreed UN framework, EU acquis and international law.

Throughout the year, we were always ready to respond to new developments on the Cyprus issue. In March, we published a joint-statement with the Republican Turkish Party UK and Turkish Cypriot Association for Democracy to support the recent UN meetings on the Cyprus issue, calling for a solution within the agreed UN framework.

In August, when the former UK-Turkey Trade Envoy visited the occupied area of Cyprus, the Federation immediately called for his resignation and quickly contacted the UK Government, Parliamentarians, media and constituents to secure that outcome. His resignation was widely reported across UK media.

Closing the year, we have just launched the Register of Property owned by UK Cypriots in Occupied Cyprus. This register aims raise awareness in the UK Government, about the vast number of UK Cypriots whose property has been illegally taken from them in the occupied area of Cyprus.

If you have not yet filled out the registration form, it only takes 30 seconds through our website at this link: https://cypriotfederation.org.uk/register-of-property/

Thank you to everyone who has joined us at all these events and in our campaigns. These achievements would not be possible without your active support.

Proudly Representing and Advancing our Community

Our UK Cypriot community is at the heart of everything we do and this year we continued, as always, to represent and advance the interests of our diaspora.

The Federation regularly engages with officials from the Republic of Cyprus to strengthen the bonds between our community and its homeland, and to advocate on the issues that matter to the diaspora. This year, in London, we have been delighted to host Deputy Shipping Minister Marina Hadjimanolis, Greek Cypriot Negotiator Menelaos Menelaou and AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou. We also hosted a working dinner for Famagusta Mayor Simos Ioannou and met with Morphou Mayor Victor Hadjiavraam, Karavas Mayor Nicos Hatzistefanou and Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos.

At this year’s World Cyprus Diaspora Conference, we met President Christodoulides and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos among a host of officials. It was also an honour to see UK Cypriots Kyriacos Akathiotis and George Yiakoumi receive Medals for Exceptional Contribution at a reception at the Presidential Palace.

We also engage closely with the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office and the High Commission of the UK in Cyprus. Federation representatives were invited to a reception during the World Cyprus Diaspora Conference at High Commissioner, Michael Tatham’s, official residence. The reception was a warm and friendly opportunity for Federation representatives to meet and exchange views with Deputy High Commissioner Adam Sambrook and UK diplomatic staff.

We have continued to deepen our collaboration with the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in the UK. The sold-out and emotive musical theatre performance “Letters to Freedom” was organised by the Cultural Section of the Cyprus High Commission in the UK, in collaboration with the Federation, to capture the struggle for Cypriot freedom and independence.

The High Commissioner Kyriacos Kouros was also our main speaker at our doxology at St John the Baptist, commemorating our National Anniversaries of March 25th and April 1st. He also joined us at our official memorial service at St Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, officiated by Archbishop Nikitas, to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives defending Cyprus in 1974 and those who are still Missing.

These commemorations were organised with the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, with memorials held on July 20th at all churches across the UK. We would like to thank Archbishop Nikitas for his continued tireless collaboration on these events and support for our community.

The memorial service was part of our wide range of events to mark 51 years since the illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus began. In addition, Federation Executive Committee members delivered resolutions to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP and the Turkish Ambassador in the UK, calling for a Free, United Cyprus. We also laid a wreath at the Cenotaph to commemorate those who lost their lives in 1974.

It is often said that how a society treats its most vulnerable is the measure of its humanity. So I would like to end by highlighting the generous charitable initiatives that our community has organised this year.

The Rizokarpasso Association sent Christmas gifts to every enclaved child. NEPOMAK UK and our Greek Schools continued their remarkable Santa Shoebox campaign. The Cypriot Community Centre served the vulnerable with Meals on Wheels, Day Care, and Advocacy services. Alkionides UK supported families travelling for medical treatment and children with special educational needs. ­

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From the Midlands Greek and Cypriot Association’s May Day Festival to Parikiaki’s thriving Wine Festival & Business Expo, and vibrant Greek school/Community Association Dinner & Dances, our community’s cultural life continues to flourish with pride and energy.

As we approach 2026, Cyprus will take on the EU Presidency in the first half of the year. We also hope for greater momentum on the Cyprus issue that will lead to meaningful negotiations and, ultimately, reunification.

But momentum alone is not enough. It will take all of us to keep Cyprus on the political agenda and to strengthen our diaspora’s voice, be it writing to our MPs, joining Federation campaigns or getting involved in political parties ourselves.

Allow me to express my deepest gratitude for your extraordinary support this year. Serving our community is a great, and deeply humbling, honour.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful, hopeful New Year 2026.

Christos Karaolis

President

National Federation of Cypriots in the UK