British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is visiting Cyprus today in within the framework of a regional tour, the Cypriot presidency announced, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
The working visit “underlines the excellent relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom”, a statement from the office of Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidis said.
During the meeting, the strategic partnership between the two countries, the Cyprus issue, relations between Great Britain and the EU, as well as a number of regional issues will be discussed. According to the Cypriot media, among the main topics of conversation will be the situation in the Middle East.
This is the first visit by a British prime minister to the island since Edward Heath's visit in 1971. Former Prime Minister John Major was in Cyprus in 1993, but in the context of a meeting of the leaders of the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Britain ruled Cyprus between 1878 and 1960, initially as a British protectorate, and from 1925 as a Crown Colony.
The UK has two military bases on the island. These facilities have been used in the past for operations against Islamic State targets in Syria, as well as against the Houthis in Yemen for their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The Iran-backed Houthis say their actions are in response to the conflict in Gaza.
Editing adds fluidity and highlights the significant aspects of the visit while preserving all the important details.