CIFSA-CRPG Newsletter 3rd August 2022
Following the departure of Mr Stephen Lillie CMG, the new British High Commissioner in Cyprus is
Mr Irfan Siddiq OBE.
The new High Commissioner, who will be accompanied by his wife Penélope Siddiq and his two children will take up his position in August 2022.
The High Commissioner has been with the UK FCDO since 2002 and has served as Ambassador to Sudan, and Ambassador to Azerbaijan. He has also served in various posts in Iraq, Washington and Eqypt, as well as completing his duties within the FCDO in the UK.
CIFSA-CRPG welcomes Mr Irfan Siddiq OBE and his family to Cyprus and looks forward to continuing to support the BHC throughout his tenure.
The High Commissioner arrives in Cyprus at an interesting time politically. As we approach the Cyprus Presidential elections in February 2023, he will no doubt have time to meet each of the Presidential candidates and consider their views toward UK Cyprus relations and the renewed efforts toward the resolution of the Cyprus problem.
Parliamentary elections take place every 5 years with next elections due in 2026.
UK relations with Cyprus remain strong and although the UK left the EU at the end of 2020, the pandemic has meant that much of the impact of the change has only just started to be felt. There are many areas where change will be necessary, but one particular area of good news is that, UK tourism to Cyprus has remained resilient.
CIFSA-CRPG
