UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to visit Nicosia on Tuesday, December 10, as part of a broader regional tour. His schedule includes a private meeting with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, followed by expanded talks between delegations from both countries. The agenda will focus on the Cyprus issue, bilateral relations, and developments in the region.

In a press release, the Cypriot Presidency emphasized the significance of this visit, noting that it comes less than two months after the leaders’ meeting in London. This marks the first bilateral visit by a UK Prime Minister to Cyprus since Edward Heath’s visit in 1971. John Major’s 1993 visit occurred within the framework of the Commonwealth Summit, making Starmer’s trip a unique milestone in UK-Cyprus relations.

The Presidency highlighted that the visit is a testament to the evolving and strengthened ties between the two nations. "This meeting represents an important development in the excellent relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom, which have been further enhanced and have entered a new constructive phase within the context of their Strategic Cooperation," the press release stated.

According to the Prime Minister’s itinerary, the visit will commence with a tête-à-tête meeting between the leaders, followed by wider discussions involving their respective delegations.

The talks will address a wide array of bilateral matters, particularly those under the Strategic Dialogue framework, including:

• Defence and security

• Education and culture

• Economy, commerce, and investments

• Energy cooperation

Additionally, the Cyprus problem will feature prominently on the agenda, with efforts to resume negotiations expected to be discussed. Other key topics include migration, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and EU-UK relations.

Regional developments will also be a focal point, particularly Cyprus’s humanitarian efforts and its recent initiative, the "Amalthea" maritime corridor, which facilitates the evacuation of civilians from conflict zones.