Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Deferred
Reduced ODA budget diminishes UK global visibility, empowering adversaries in conflict zones.
Conclusion
With a reduced Official Development Assistance budget and a smaller budget allocation for conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts, the UK is less visible on the global stage and in key conflict zones. This opens up the space to our adversaries and competitors to make significant inroads, particularly China, Iran and Russia. (Conclusion, Paragraph 65)
Government Response Summary
The government's response details its ongoing engagement and support for UN-led efforts to achieve a lasting settlement in Cyprus, highlighting its role as a Guarantor Power and its leadership in renewing the UNFICYP mandate. It does not address the committee's conclusion about reduced ODA budgets and their impact on UK visibility or potential for adversaries to gain influence.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
38. Cyprus is an example of the UN acting effectively, with the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) having been in place as a stabilising force for over 60 years. HMG was pleased to have led the unanimous renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate in January 2025, maintaining the UN Security Council’s longstanding unity on the Cyprus file. As a Guarantor Power, leading troop contributor to UNFICYP, and a friend to all parties, the UK continues to support UN-led efforts to pursue a lasting settlement to improve the lives of all Cypriots. We are fully supportive of, and engaged with, the UN Secretary-General’s leadership in reinvigorating the settlement process, in convening the informal 5+1 meetings between Guarantor Powers and Cypriot communities as well as appointing a personal envoy. We are actively engaging all sides to encourage the flexibility required to return to formal talks. We continue to believe that the existing UN parameters of a Bi-zonal, Bi-communal Federation (BBF) with political equality are sufficiently flexible to facilitate an agreement which addresses the priorities of both sides. Ultimately, however, it is for the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to decide on the details of a Settlement.