Cyprus (Hansard, 8 July 2003)

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the action to be taken by the authorities in occupied Cyprus if Famagusta port is to be reopened; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123165]

§ Mr. MacShane
The question of the status of Famagusta port is one for the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future status of Sovereign Base Area Cyprus after the Republic of Cyprus accedes to the EU. [R] [123170]

§ Mr. MacShane
Following Cyprus' accession, the UK's Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) will remain outside the EU, with technical adjustments to ensure the continued smooth functioning of the relationship between Cyprus and the SBAs.
The arrangements are set out in a Protocol to the Treaty of Accession, which was signed on 16 April.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what respects the Annan plan for a Cyprus settlement is incompatible with the Acquis Communautaire; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123171]

§ Mr. MacShane
The European Commission has stated repeatedly that there is no incompatibility of the UN proposals with the acquis communautaires. Commission officials worked in close co-ordination with the UN team over the drafting of the UN plan. The EU has affirmed on a number of occasions, most recently at Thessaloniki European Council, that it will accommodate the terms of a settlement, in line with the principles on which the EU is founded.
Furthermore, a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the UN plan, before May 2004, would allow a re-united island to be a member of the EU. This is the EU?s express and strong preference.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the fiscal and financial arrangements in the Annan plan on the economy of the proposed Greek Cypriot component of Cyprus should the Annan plan be implemented in its current form; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123172]

§ Mr. MacShane
We believe the UN plan for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement in Cyprus to be fair and balanced, including on matters of fiscal and financial arrangements. The proposed Greek Cypriot state is currently the richer of the two constituent states that would make up the United Cyprus Republic. This would inevitably lead to some disparity of contributions, as in any democratic state.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what restrictions remain on people wishing to cross the Green Line in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123173]
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§ Mr. MacShane
Upon crossing the Green Line, Greek Cypriots travelling north are required to show their passports to the Turkish Cypriot authorities. Their details are logged and checked on return. They are permitted to bring their cars with them, provided they take out Turkish Cypriot third party insurance, and they are allowed to stay for up to three nights in hotels, but not in private accommodation.
Turkish Cypriots travelling south are required to show exit visas north of the Green Line, and then a Republic of Cyprus passport or ID card, or a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ID card (in which case their details are logged), when they cross. They are allowed to bring their cars for a period of up to 48 hours.
The Cyprus Government does not permit Turkish citizens to cross from the north to the south, nor does it permit any person who has entered the island of Cyprus through a port of entry in the north to cross to the south.
The British Government welcomes the relaxation of restrictions on freedom of movement across the Green Line. However, such measures are not a substitute for a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the UN plan.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the number of people who have crossed the Green Line in Cyprus(a) north to south and (b) south to north; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123174]

§ Mr. MacShane
The latest figures available record that, as of 21 May, 292,017 Greek Cypriots had crossed to the north, and 142,253 Turkish Cypriots had crossed to the south. Some of these may be repeat visits. Reports continue of thousands of Cypriots crossing each way every week, particularly at weekends.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the impact of the opening of the Green Line in Cyprus on the prospects for a Cyprus settlement; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123175]

§ Mr. MacShane
The celebratory scenes of Greek and Turkish Cypriots crossing the Green Line for the first time in 29 years have proved that Greek and Turkish Cypriots can live together peacefully.
The British Government welcomes any moves that increase contacts between the two sides and improve the climate on the island. However, these measures are no substitute for renewed negotiations in the search for a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the UN plan, in line with the recommendations in the United Nations Secretary-General's report of 1 April 2003 to the UN Security Council, endorsed by UNSCR 1475.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what package of measures has been put forward by the EU to assist Turkish Cypriots in occupied Cyprus; how these measures will be administered; what his assessment is of these measures; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123176]

§ Mr. MacShane
The European Commission released, on 3 June, a package of measures designed to promote economic development in the north of Cyprus and bring it closer to the EU.
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The package includes 9 million euros of financial assistance to boost economic development, through developing infrastructure in the north, introducing grant schemes for Small and Medium Enterprises and conducting feasibility studies on the economic integration of the north of Cyprus into the EU, after a political settlement. The package further includes 3 million euros to bring the north closer to the EU, through information activities on the EU and the acquis. Finally, the package includes proposals on trade, in particular that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce could be given the authority to issue movement certificates for goods going from the north of Cyprus to the south
Technical talks on the implementation and administration of these proposals are ongoing in Brussels. However, we are urging both sides to work closely with the Commission to implement these measures and deliver the best possible results for Turkish Cypriots.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures have been taken by the Republic of Cyprus to assist Turkish Cypriots resident in occupied Cyprus; what assessment he has made of these measures; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123177]

§ Mr. MacShane
On 30 April the Cyprus Government released a Memorandum on Government Policy vis-a-vis the Turkish Cypriots, detailing proposed measures designed to give the Turkish Cypriots, in the absence of a settlement and where possible, the same rights as those enjoyed by the Greek Cypriots.
These proposed measures include the establishment of an Office of Turkish Cypriot Affairs; the facilitation of the issuing of travel documents, ID cards and birth certificates by the Republic of Cyprus to Turkish Cypriots; the facilitation of the employment of Turkish Cypriots; measures to enable goods for personal consumption to be carried from the north to the south; the facilitation of freedom of movement from the north to the south; the introduction of direct dialling between the south, the north and Turkey; measures regarding Turkish Cypriots missing from the 1960s and 1970s; the participation of Turkish Cypriots in elections for local authorities in the south; measures regarding the teaching of Turkish to Greek Cypriots, and Greek to Turkish Cypriots; the provision of free medical treatment to Turkish Cypriots in the south when referred by a doctor in the north; and various measures regarding cultural events and activities.
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus has already implemented many of these measures and is looking at ways of implementing the remainder.
The British Government welcomes measures designed to help normalise life on the island. However, we believe that Confidence Building Measures are in no way a substitute for a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the UN plan, and for a reunited island being a member of the EU.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he plans to make to the authorities of 739W occupied Cyprus on ensuring fair balance in the broadcast media for the elections in occupied Cyprus this year; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123178]

§ Mr. MacShane
The British Government will be watching developments closely and will make any representations that they consider necessary and appropriate.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to Turkey concerning the refusal of Turkey(a) to allow Republic of Cyprus-flagged vessels to use Turkish ports and (b) to enter into a customs agreement with the Republic of Cyprus; what assessment he has made of the implications of these refusals for Turkey's application for EU candidate status; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123179]

§ Mr. MacShane
This is a matter for the EU Commission, which regularly reminds Turkey of her obligations on both of these points.
Turkey was granted EU candidate status at the Helsinki summit of 1999.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to send observers for the elections in occupied Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123182]

§ Mr. MacShane
The Government firmly believe that it is important that the forthcoming elections in the north of Cyprus are seen to be free and fair. We would certainly consider sending observers if invited to do so.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to take to ensure the elections in occupied Cyprus will be conducted fairly; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123183]

§ Mr. MacShane
The elections in the north of Cyprus come at a critical time for the future of Cyprus and the prospects for a permanent and comprehensive settlement. It is clearly in the interests of all concerned that they should be seen to be conducted freely and fairly. We urge the Turkish Cypriot authorities to ensure that this is so.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest estimate is of how many residents in occupied Cyprus are(a) Turkish Cypriots, (b) settlers from Turkey, (c) descendants of settlers from Turkey, born in Cyprus and (d) foreign nationals; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123190]

§ Mr. MacShane
The number of residents in each of these categories is a matter of dispute between the various parties concerned and no authoritative estimates are available.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to ensure the electoral roll for the elections in occupied Cyprus is fairly compiled; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123191]

§ Mr. MacShane
We have observed closely the legal and other action that has taken place in the north of Cyprus in recent months to challenge the validity of the740W existing entries on the electoral roll. We believe that the credibility of any election result depends, among other things, on the credibility of the electoral roll on which it is based.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest estimate is of the number of Turkish troops in occupied Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123192]

§ Mr. MacShane
The 1960 Treaty of Alliance allows for there to be 950 Greek troops and 650 Turkish troops on the island of Cyprus. The actual numbers of Greek and Turkish troops are a matter of dispute between the various parties concerned. No authoritative figures are available.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what(a) action he is taking and (b) advice he is giving to prevent UK citizens resident in occupied Cyprus in dispute with Greek Cypriots visiting the property with a claim to ownership; [123193]
(2) what advice he is giving to UK citizens resident in occupied Cyprus in the event of a Greek Cypriot visiting the property suggesting it belongs to him; and if he will make a statement. [123196]

§ Mr. MacShane
Our High Commission in Nicosia has encouraged British residents in the north of Cyprus to act in the spirit of the times, and to accord visiting Greek Cypriots the same courteous welcome that they have generally received from Turkish Cypriots.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to persuade the Government in occupied Cyprus to remove its requirement on visitors from the Republic of Cyprus to produce passports when crossing into the occupied areas; and if he will make a statement. [123194]

§ Mr. MacShane
We will continue to encourage both sides in Cyprus to work together to eliminate any difficulties which the welcome relaxing of restrictions on freedom of movement might cause.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he is giving(a) to UK citizens resident in occupied Cyprus in property where the title is uncertain owing to possible Greek Cypriot ownership and (b) to potential purchasers from the UK of property in occupied Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [123195]

§ Mr. MacShane
Our general advice to prospective buyers, found on the FCO's website and given in response to telephone queries, is that non-recognition of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", and the possibility of a future political settlement, could have implications for those considering buying property in the north. They should appraise themselves fully of the situation and seek legal advice.
We continue to believe that property issues will only be fully resolved through a comprehensive settlement based on the UN plan.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken to prevent UK citizens resident in occupied Cyprus crossing into sovereign base areas; in what 741W circumstances they will be prevented from doing so; in what circumstances they will be permitted to do so; and if he will make a statement. [123197]

§ Mr. MacShane
In line with commitments made to the Republic of Cyprus in the 1960 Treaty of establishment, provided they have entered the island of Cyprus through an internationally recognised port of entry, British nationals have freedom of access and communication to and through the Eastern Sovereign Base Areas (ESBA) from the north. No action is being or will be taken to prevent them from doing so. However, any person who has entered the island of Cyprus through an unrecognised port of entry is considered to be an illegal immigrant by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. It has been Government policy since 1974 to respect the Republic of Cyprus' immigration policy. The relaxing of restrictions on freedom of movement across the Green Line has required SBA authorities to check and monitor people and vehicles entering and leaving the ESBA. Therefore, some people who might have previously crossed in contravention of SBA law are now no longer able to do so.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reported incidents there have been of violent confrontation as a result of people crossing the Green Line in Cyprus(a) north to south, in the south and (b) south to north, in the north; and if he will make a statement. [123206]

§ Mr. MacShane
There has been one minor violent incident, in which a Turkish Cypriot visiting the south was attacked and received hospital treatment. The alleged attackers are the subject of a police investigation.
However, this one exception proves the rule that the Green Line crossings in general have been peaceful and celebratory, proving that Greek and Turkish Cypriots can live together peacefully.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the evidence he has received of smuggling(a) into and (b) out of the Sovereign Base Area, Cyprus of (i) drugs, (ii) humans and (iii) other contraband material (A) before the relaxation of the Green Line restrictions and (B) since; and if he will make a statement. [123209]

§ Mr. MacShane
The Sovereign Base Areas have appropriate measures in place to prevent the passage of contraband goods across SBA boundaries. The SBA checks and controls mirror those of the Republic of Cyprus.
Increased quantities of uncustomed goods (mainly tobacco products and alcohol) have been seized by SBA Customs at the crossing points in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area (ESBA) since the relaxation of crossing restrictions across the Green Line and the subsequent necessity of checking every vehicle. So far no drugs have been detected.
In early 2001, there were five incidents of prohibited immigrants attempting to cross into the ESBA directly from the north. There have been no further incidents since then.
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§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to ensure freedom of movement for Cypriot citizens in Cyprus and in the EU; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123211]

§ Mr. MacShane
Cypriots holding Republic of Cyprus passports will be able to enjoy free movement throughout the EU from 1 May 2004.
Some restrictions on freedom of movement within the island of Cyprus are likely to continue as long as Cyprus remains divided. We are urging the two sides to resume negotiations on the basis of the UN plan, in order to secure a comprehensive settlement and enable a reunited Cyprus to be an EU member.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to replace Lord Hannay with a new special representative to Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123212]

§ Mr. MacShane
None at present.
I refer my hon. Friend to the Written Ministerial Statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, on 4 June 2003, Official Report, column 22WS.

§ Mr. Dismore
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the conditions which should be met by the leaders of the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus before negotiations for a settlement can be resumed; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123213]

§ Mr. MacShane
The British Government remains committed to UNSCR 1475, which endorsed the view of the UN Secretary- General, that both sides should unequivocally state that they are ready to commit to resumed negotiations on the basis of the UN plan, and that they should commit to finalising the plan without changing its basic principles or essential trade-offs, and to putting it to referendums on both sides of the island.
The Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Papadopoulos, gave such a commitment at The Hague earlier this year. The Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Denktash, has refused to do so.

§ Bob Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the UN on the possible reopening of Famagusta port; and if he will promote its reopening. [R] [123410]

§ Mr. MacShane
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) today (UIN 123165).