North Cyprus: Cultural Heritage (Hansard, 9 July 1990)

§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Brabazon of Tara)
My Lords, we attach importance to the preservation of the cultural heritage of Cyprus and welcome initiatives by specialised bodies to ensure this. I understand that the document to which the noble Baroness refers, which usefully describes some of the issues involved, has been duly noted by both the Culture and Education Committee and the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

§ Baroness David
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. However, since the document has been merely "noted", it does not look as though any action is intended. Is any action intended? The main recommendation of the report was that: Means must be found by the international community of ensuring that the necessary experience and financial help reaches those responsible for the cultural heritage in north (as well as south) Cyprus". Is that recommendation accepted? Do the Government intend to do anything to help it forward?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, we believe that specialist organisations are much better qualified than governments to take the necessary steps to ensure the preservation of the Cyprus heritage. However, we support a number of bodies which could play a useful role in this matter.

§ Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos
My Lords. is there not a case for saying that the survival of the cultural heritage in Cyprus—one of the most important in the world—is probably in peril unless a long-term settlement can be achieved? Does the Minister recall that Mr. Perez de Cuellar made a real attempt on behalf of the United Nations to secure agreement between the two sides and, sadly, failed? Have Her Majesty's Government any plans for a further initiative to seek to resolve the matter?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, the noble Lord is quite right when he says that this matter would be more easily and better settled if a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem could be found. Our aim is to help to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement in the framework of one state and two communities. We regret that the last round of inter-communal talks in New York reached an impasse. However, the way ahead was mapped out in Security Council Resolution 649 which was adopted 7 unanimously on 12th March. The United Kingdom has played an active role in these consultations which led to the adoption of that resolution.
My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed Cyprus in the past week with both the Greek and the Turkish Foreign Ministers.

§ Lord Willis
My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that if we wait for a settlement in Cyprus, the situation with regard to the cultural heritage may become very much worse? There is an elected, democratic government in North Cyprus which happen to be very poor. They are doing their very best to preserve the culture. Because of the special responsibility that Britain has towards Cyprus would it not be a good idea for the British Government to enter into direct talks to see what can be done to save the heritage?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, no, we do not recognise the Government of Northern Cyprus. Therefore it would not be appropriate for us to enter into direct talks with them. I would only urge noble Lords and others who have contacts with the Government of Northern Cyprus to use their good offices to help with some solution to the problem.

§ Lord Richard
My Lords, the Minister told us that his right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs had discussed those matters last week with both the Greek and Turkish Foreign Ministers. Can he tell us what effect the discussions had, and what response he received from them? Does he foresee any reasonable chance of renewing the inter-communal talks at a fairly early date?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, I cannot say exactly what response my right honourable friend had from either the Greek or the Turkish Foreign Minister. I should make clear, if I have not done so in my original Answer, that it was not on the specific issue of the cultural heritage of Northern Cyprus, but on the whole Cyprus problem. We very much hope that talks can go ahead. We send the Secretary General our best wishes for making progress in that direction. We shall do anything to help.

§ Baroness Jeger
My Lords, is it not unfortunate that we are talking today about the treasures of Northern Cyprus and, by implication, the whole of Cyprus? Surely this marvellously rich heritage is the result of a variety of civilisations. Does the Minister recall that these treasures come from the Greeks, the Phoenecians, the Venetians, the Ottomans and the Byzantines? Some came from this country. They were a heritage from Richard Coeur de Lion who had a honeymoon there on his way home from the Crusades. Therefore the important point is not where these treasures are situated geographically today but that there should be recognition that this heritage belongs to the whole of Europe—in fact to the whole of civilisation. Why cannot we encourage international scholars to work on this heritage, perhaps through 8 UNESCO, by access and by financial help? That might well be a healing and civilised element in that sad country.

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, I hope that we can achieve a settlement of the problem for the reasons given by the noble Baroness. Undoubtedly there is a role in that for the Council of Europe, but I understand that as yet UNESCO is not involved. It would be favourable to find a solution to the problem.

§ Baroness David
My Lords, is the Minister aware that in Strasbourg it is said that British parliamentarians are not enthusiastic in pursuing the preservation of cultural heritage? Can the Government encourage a little more commitment in that direction?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, I cannot comment on the noble Baroness's assertion that British parliamentarians are not concerned. That is a matter for them. However, the fact that the noble Baroness has raised the issue at Question Time today demonstrates concern. I am sure that the best way forward is to complete a comprehensive settlement as regards Cyprus and then it would be easier for us to have an influence in what happens in the north.