§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with(a) representatives of the Turkish Government, (b) representatives of the Cypriot Government, (c) representatives of the Greek Government, (d) representatives of the US Administration and (e) representatives of the European Commission since April concerning re-unification negotiations in Cyprus. [131446]
§ Mr. MacShaneForeign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials regularly discuss the prospects for resumed Cyprus settlement negotiations on the basis of the UN plan with representatives of the Turkish, Greek, Cypriot and US governments. We also discuss developments on the island with the European Commission and EU partners, including at monthly meetings of the Working Group on South East Europe. These contacts are too numerous to list here, but have included my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's meetings with Turkish Foreign Minister Gul in London in July and at the UN in September. I discussed the issue with the Greek officials in Greece 10–11 October.
We firmly believe that securing a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus before 1 May 2004, in enabling a re-united island to accede to the EU, would be I the best interests of all Cypriots, and the region as a whole. In addition, it would provide a boost to Turkey's own EU candidature.