Rayleigh and Wickford MP and Armed Forces Minister, Mark Francois, recently paid a brief visit to Cyprus in order to meet British troops who are serving on the Island, as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force. Whist there Mark was given a tour of parts of the "Green Line" which separates the Republic of Cyprus from the Turkish occupied area in the North of the Island. Mark walked along the "no man’s land" area in the capital of Nicosia, which has remained unoccupied since the Turkish invasion in 1974.
British troops are part of a multinational contingent which has helped to police the line and keep the two sides apart for over 30 years, while hope remains that both sides can eventually achieve a political settlement. Such talks were ongoing during Mark’s visit but have yet to come to a firm conclusion.
One of the units Mark visited was 28 Engineer Regiment, who have been serving out in Cyprus for several months. During his visit Mark also attended a Regimental Dinner, where entertainment was provided by a reservist Pipe Major from the Royal Scots, on attachment to the Regiment.
Commenting on the visit, Mark Francois said:
"As Armed Forces Minister, part of my role is to visit British Troops to learn more about how they are performing their duties on our behalf. The mission in Cyprus has been a very important one for many years and it was good to be able to take the opportunity to meet troops from 28 Engineer Regiment, as well as other units based on the island and to thank them for the important work they do on behalf of the international community.
British troops have always been well regarded by the UN, not least for their considerable experience in carrying out what are sometimes called "blue beret" roles. I am very proud of what our troops have been doing in Cyprus and it was good to get a chance to meet with them and congratulate them in person for all of their efforts."