Cyprus settlement urged as Boris Johnson visits divided island

A settlement of the differences dividing the Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus is being urged by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson as he visits the island.

Mr Johnson will use his trip on Wednesday to meet President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, as well as British UN peacekeepers working in the buffer zone.

The Foreign Secretary said: "The UK has a strong and important relationship with Cyprus, one that I believe will only go from strength to strength in years to come. This is a significant time in the settlement negotiations and I look forward to meeting with both leaders.

"I welcome the progress made in the negotiations in recent months. I applaud the dedication of both negotiating teams, and the continued determination, and courageous leadership from President Anastasiades and Mr Akinci. With further flexibility and creativity by all sides involved, we believe a solution is within reach.

"The UK fully supports the current settlement process and stands ready to help in any way it can in order to bring lasting peace to Cyprus".