House President Annita Demetriou had an online meeting with Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Stephen Twigg, during which they discussed, among others, "the positive response regarding the possibility of relocating the headquarters of the CPA to Cyprus, in case it is necessary to move."

According to a House statement, Annita Demetriou welcomed the work carried out by the CPA in matters of parliamentary diplomacy and emphasized that Cyprus is fully committed to democratic principles and values, as expressed in the Charter of the Commonwealth, which, as she noted, are more relevant today than ever.

She also reiterated the parliament's firm support to efforts for changing the legal status of the Association, as this, as she stated, will strengthen unity and contribute to the further promotion of common values between member parliaments.

For his part, Stephen Twigg thanked the House President for the significant contribution and support of the Cyprus Branch in the efforts to change the legal status of the Association as well as for the positive response regarding the possibility of relocating the headquarters of the CPA to Cyprus, in case its relocation is deemed necessary. At the same time, he informed Annita Demetriou about the latest developments regarding this matter, as they stand prior the upcoming World Conference of the Association, which will take place in November 2024 in Australia.

Demetriou and Twigg also talked about the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and the continued occupation of part of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey, on the occasion of a relevant letter sent by the House President to CPA Secretary General.

It is noted that Head of the Cypriot delegation to CPA Aristos Damianou, and other officials also participated in the meeting.