§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of how the proposed EU package of trade and air links to northern Cyprus will assist in achieving a settlement. [185157]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe EU package of measures for northern Cyprus is designed to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community by facilitating economic growth. We believe that enabling direct trade between northern Cyprus and the rest of the EU is an essential element of that strategy. Furthermore, direct trade will reduce the economic disparity between the north and south of the island and will help to bring the Turkish Cypriots in to line with the EU acquis. Narrowing the economic divide between the north and south will remove a major obstacle to a future settlement to the Cyprus problem.
Direct air links with northern Cyprus are not covered by the Commission proposals. We are actively looking at this issue.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about his recent discussions with Mr. Talat, leader of the Turkish Cypriots and Mr. Iakovou, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus. [185158]
§ Mr. MacShaneMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I met Mr. Talat on 1 July. We discussed a number of Cyprus related issues and encouraged Mr. Talat to continue to pursue a pro-EU policy. Mr. Talat assured us that he would continue to work for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.
I met the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 12 July. I briefed him on the recent debates on Cyprus in this House. We also discussed Mr. Talat's recent visit to the UK.