HL Deb 16 May 2000 vol 613 cc176-7

3.4 p.m.

Lord Burnham asked Her Majesty's Government:

What talks have been held with the Cypriot Government with regard to the withdrawal of British sovereign base areas in Cyprus.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)

My Lords, there have been no talks between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus with regard to the withdrawal of British sovereign base areas in Cyprus, nor do we have any intention to hold such talks. The sovereign base areas are British sovereign territory, as recognised by the 1960 Treaty of Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus between the United Kingdom, Greece, Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus.

Lord Burnham

My Lords, I am very glad to hear the Minister's reply because there have been strong rumours that talks have taken place. Can the noble Baroness confirm unequivocally—I believe that she will have no difficulty in so doing—the importance of the sovereign base areas to all British interests in the Near and Middle East?

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

My Lords, I am happy to confirm what the noble Lord has said. As the noble Lord knows, the SBAs are military bases. They remain key, strategic assets in a troubled region; their logistic benefit as a forward mounting base was demonstrated during the Gulf War; and they provide valuable training facilities. I am happy to confirm everything that the noble Lord said.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire

My Lords, can the Minister explain how Cypriot negotiations for membership of the European Union fit in with the continuing use of the sovereign bases? If Cyprus is to join the European Union among the first group—which will require negotiations also with Turkey—will that in any way alter the status of those bases? Or is that the subject of an entirely different set of discussions?

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

My Lords, as the noble Lord said, it is an entirely different set of discussions. None of the countries has raised the issue of our bases; they remain British territory. They do not in any way impinge on the negotiations.