Ankara

HC Deb 13 July 1977 vol 935 cc412-3

7. Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to pay an official visit to Ankara.

Mr. Judd

My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to do so, but I hope to visit Ankara at a mutually convenient time as soon as possible after a new Turkish Government have been confirmed in office.

Mr. Price

Is my hon. Friend aware that the difficulties that the Turks are having in creating a stable Government are producing great difficulties also for the people of Cyprus? Is he aware that a Cyprus settlement is being held up by this long delay? Will he give some sort of assurance from Her Majesty's Government that they will pursue a settlement in Cyprus, particularly in view of the recent court case in Britain, as Lord Denning's minority view, not supported by his two fellow judges, has caused great disquiet in the island?

Mr. Judd

I assure my hon. Friend that the Government will pursue with all possible effectiveness a solution in Cyprus. This is a high priority. I also assure him that we regard a stable solution to the political difficulties in Turkey as a crucial element in finding that solution.

Mr. Thorpe

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, at the very lowest estimate, there are 2,000 Greek Cypriot citizens who have disappeared and not been accounted for, some of whom are alleged to be detained without trial and charge by the Turkish authorities on the mainland? Does he accept that until this problem is solved there will be no possibility of such a settlement?

Mr. Judd

I assure the right hon. Gentleman that I am aware of these allegations and, indeed, that I am concerned by them. But I am sure he will appreciate it when I tell him that all our investigations have failed to produce hard evidence. If he has hard evidence. I should like to see it.

Mr. Jim Spicer

When the Minister makes his visit to Ankara, will he undertake to assure the Turkish Government that in this country we are deeply appreciative of their loyalty to and continuing support for the NATO Alliance? Will he further assure the Turkish Government that we accept fully their special relationship with the European Community and that we shall do all we possibly can in the future to protect that special relationship?

Mr. Judd

We recognise, of course, the importance of the relationship of Turkey to the European Economic Community, and we also recognise the military contribution by Turkey to the defence of the south-eastern flank of NATO.