§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the British high commissioner to Cyprus has taken to bring together Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots living on Cyprus to discuss issues of general interest; when such meetings have taken place during the last 12 months; and where the meetings took place. [69732]
§ Peter HainThe Government are committed to developing practical co-operation between the two communities on and off the island. I myself hosted a reception and gave a speech to an intercommunal gathering on 10 April which was attended by senior politicians from both communities. The British high commission has made a significant contribution to intercommunal dialogue, bringing Turkish and Greek Cypriots together at a wide range of events.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom Government's relations with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. [69704]
§ Peter HainThe Government enjoy excellent relations with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what the United Kingdom Government's policy is on the United Nations resolutions that have been passed as the basis of a settlement for Cyprus; [69750]
(2) if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom Government's policy on Cyprus; [69699]
(3) what the United Kingdom Government's policy is on the development of two sovereign states for the island of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [69705]
§ Peter HainIt is for the two sides in Cyprus to agree the terms of a settlement. However, the Government are committed to UN Security Council Resolution 1250 of June 1999 which called upon the two leaders to give their full support to a comprehensive negotiation under the auspices of the Secretary-General for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement in Cyprus, which takes full consideration of relevant Security Council resolutions and treaties. We are working hard to help all involved in the current direct talks to move negotiations forward and urging both sides to co-operate fully in such an effort, in particular to work with the Secretary-General's Special Adviser, Alvaro de Soto.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if the recent statement made by Lord Hannay, during a recent Turkish television interview on Cyprus, was(a) a statement of United
179WKingdom Government policy on Cyprus and (b) made with approval of his Department; and if he will make a statement; [69700]
(2) if Lord Hannay discussed his recent Turkish television interview on Cyprus with the British High Commissioner for the Republic of Cyprus before the interview took place; and if he will make a statement. [69703]
§ Peter HainLord Hannay is the Government's Special Representative on Cyprus, and speaks with our full support.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met President Clerides of the Republic of Cyprus; what issues were discussed; and if he will make a statement. [69730]
§ Peter HainMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and President Derides both attended the European Council in Seville in June. I met him in April.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what salary has been paid to Lord Hannay as the United Kingdom adviser on Cyprus in each of the last five years; [69706]
(2) how many days Lord Hannay has been employed by the United Kingdom Government to work as the UK adviser on Cyprus in each of the last five years. [69707]
§ Peter HainBetween June 1997 and June 1998 Lord Hannay was employed by the United Kingdom Government to work as the UK adviser on Cyprus for 98 days and was paid a salary of £39,200.
Between June 1998 and June 1999 Lord Hannay was employed for 79 days and was paid a salary of £31,600.
Between June 1999 and June 2000 Lord Hannay was employed for 99.5 days and was paid a salary of £39,800.
Between June 2000 and June 2001 Lord Hannay was employed for 100.5 days and was paid a salary of £45,315.
Between June 2001 and June 2002 Lord Hannay was employed for 88.5 days and was paid a salary of £39,825. His expertise, authority and the respect in which he is held by both sides shows that this is good value for money.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the policy is of the United Kingdom Government on the application of the Republic of Cyprus for the membership of the European Union. [69729]
§ Peter HainThe Government welcome and indeed champions Cyprus' application to join the European Union. The Government's policy remains based on the position outlined by the Helsinki European Council, which stated that
a political settlement will facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the European Union".If no settlement has been reached by the completion of accession negotiations, the Council's decision on accession will be made without the above being a precondition. In this the Council will take account of all relevant factors.
180W
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the number of settlers from mainland Turkey who are permanently settled in northern Cyprus. [69712]
§ Peter HainThe number of Turkish citizens who have come from mainland Turkey to northern Cyprus is a matter of dispute between the various parties concerned. No authoritative figures are available.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Nations peacekeeping forces are based in Cyprus. [69711]
§ Peter HainAs of June 2002, UN forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP) numbered 1,206 military personnel, 35 civilian police, 44 international civilians and 103 local civilians.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the British High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus last visited the occupied area of northern Cyprus; who he met; and what issues were discussed. [69709]
§ Peter HainThe British High Commissioner and his staff in Nicosia maintain regular contacts on both sides of the green line, including on consular support for British nationals living in the north of Cyprus and support for a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had, and with whom, on the future of the town of Famagusta; and if he will make a statement. [69731]
§ Peter HainMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no recent detailed discussions on the town of Famagusta. The future of the town of Famagusta is under discussion in the negotiations currently taking place under UN auspices for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement in Cyprus, to which the Government give their full support.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the resolution of the European Parliament of 13 June that only a single sovereign Cyprus state should be permitted to accede to the European Union. [69767]
§ Peter HainThe Government fully support the Conclusions of the Seville European Council, which state that
as a Member State, Cyprus will need to speak with a single voice and ensure proper application of European Union law".
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many chapters the Republic of Cyprus has negotiated in its application for membership of the European Union. [69728]
§ Peter HainThe Republic of Cyprus has opened 30 negotiating chapters and provisionally closed 28 in its accession negotiations with the European Union.