The General Secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP) Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu has said that the UK needed to take bolder steps on the Cyprus issue.

Hasipoğlu’s words came during his address at the British Conservative Party’s Congress held in Manchester.

According to a statement from the UBP, Hasipoğlu met with the UK’s Defence Minister Grant Shapss, House of Lords member Daniel Hannah, Members of Parliament, Conservative Party members of Turkish Cypriot descent, and other politicians during the congress.

Hasipoğlu also delivered a speech for the first time as a representative of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) at the congress.

In his speech, Hasipoğlu raised the issues and expectations of approximately 300,000 Turkish Cypriots living in the UK and stated that it is time for Turkish Cypriots to send a representative to the British Parliament.

Hasipoğlu emphasized the need for the United Kingdom to take bolder steps on the Cyprus issue after Brexit.

He reminded that the guarantor UK is well aware of the constructive attitude of the Turkish Cypriot people, who have consistently shown their desire for a solution in Cyprus.

Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu expressed their desire for the United Kingdom not to be prejudiced against the request for a solution in the framework of sovereign equality in Northern Cyprus, especially after the election of President Ersin Tatar, noting that sovereign equality is a historically earned right.

While recalling the promises made to the Turkish Cypriots during the 2004 Annan Plan process, Hasipoğlu also stated that the United Kingdom needs to take concrete steps regarding direct flights and expressed their desire for Turkish Cypriot athletes to participate in the Commonwealth Games.