§ Lord Kilclooneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
- (a) how many guests from Northern Cyprus to the Queen's Birthday Party at the High Commission in Nicosia were refused entry to the High Commission by the Greek Cypriot authorities;
- (b) how many of those refused entry were British citizens;
- (c) what reason was given by the Greek Cypriots;
- (d) what representations were made by the High Commissioner to the Greek Cypriot authorities; and
- (e) whether they consider that such decisions are conducive to a possible future agreement in the island of Cyprus. [HL5041]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanTwo hundred and fifty-four Turkish Cypriots and 98 British people living in the north of Cyprus were invited to attend this year's Queen's Birthday party. Three British citizens, who were alleged to have broken Republic of Cyrpus law, were denied permission to cross by the Government of Cyprus. For the fifth year running all of the Turkish Cypriots invited to the party were denied permission to cross by the Turkish Cypriot authorities.
The British High Commission in Cyprus regularly makes representations to both sides in Cyprus to encourage flexibility during this important stage in the settlement talks. We also believe that contacts between the two communities will contribute greatly towards the current efforts for a settlement in Cyprus and regularly make representations to that effect. We regret that on this occasion Cypriots were again prevented from meeting each other.