HC Deb 23 July 1986 vol 102 cc255-6W
Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money has been granted to Cyprus under the 1960 treaty of establishment since 1 April 1965; and if he will now review the financial obligations accepted by Her Majesty's Government under the treaty in consultation with the Government of Cyprus.

Mr. Eggar

No financial aid has been provided pursuant to the 1960 exchange of notes since 1965. We assist Cyprus in a number of other ways.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the obstacles which now prevent final agreement between Turkish and Greek Cypriots; and if, as a guarantor power, Her Majesty's Government will now exert pressure to secure agreement.

Mr. Eggar

The UN Secretary General presented his third set of proposals in March this year. We believe that they provide a good basis for a peaceful, just and lasting settlement. The Turkish Cypriot side has accepted them. We hope that the Greek Cypriot side will still do so. We continue actively to support the UN initiative and to urge both sides to co-operate fully with the Secretary General's efforts.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans to seek changes to the 1960 treaty of establishment so as to acquire ownership of the soverign bases in Cyprus in perpetuity.

Mr. Eggar

No. The base areas in Cyprus are already sovereign British territory.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors led Her Majesty's Government to open an office in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus; what the establishment will be; and if this implies recognition of the self-styled Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Mr. Eggar

We have not opened any new office in northern Cyprus. In 1960, on the independence of the Republic, we acquired a property which is now in the Turkish sector of Nicosia, to serve as the high commissioner's official residence. Since 1971, when it was last used as the residence, we have maintained a residual presence there in order to deal with inquiries from individual Turkish Cypriots and British nationals in the north. This long-standing arrangement carries no implication of recognition of the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will urgently seek Turkey's compliance in the full implementation of resolution 3212 passed by the United Nations Assembly and resolution 365 passed by the Security Council.

Mr. Eggar

We have made clear to the Turkish Government, as to all the parties involved, our support for the United Nations Secretary General's initiative which takes account of these resolutions.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Turkey sought the agreement of the other two guarantor powers prior to the construction of the military airstrip at Lefkonico, northern Cyprus.

Mr. Eggar

We understand that Lefkonico is a Turkish Cypriot civilian airport which does not fall to be considered under the treaty of guarantee.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will call upon the Turkish Government to withdraw their occupational forces from Cyprus as a prelude to the two sides reaching agreement based on the De Cuellar initiatives.

Mr. Eggar

The United Nations Secretary General's proposals on Cyprus provide for negotiations on the withdrawal of foreign troops from the Republic as part of an overall settlement. We strongly support the Secretary General's initiative as the most effective instrument by which a settlement of the Cyprus question may be achieved.

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