Cyprus (Hansard, 10 March 1993)

15. Mr. William O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a Minister from his Department last visited Cyprus to obtain information as to the situation on the island; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Hurd
Our high commission in Nicosia is irt close and regular contact with both communities. I have frequent meetings with Cypriot Ministers, and all parties to the dispute, in London and elsewhere.
Since the last ministerial visit in 1983, we have believed it important not to undertake initiatives that could cut across negotiations by United Nations envoys in Cyprus itself. In particular a ministerial visit would raise problems concerning the nature and level of contact with the Turkish-Cypriot community. The timing of any such move must be most carefully considered.

§ 31. Mr. Raynsford
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on what steps the British Government have taken to promote a successful outcome from the forthcoming United Nations-sponsored talks on Cyprus.

§ Sir Fergus Montgomery
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take to encourage greater progress towards a political settlement in Cyprus.

§ Mr. Garel-Jones
We give full support to the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to promote a negotiated settlement to the Cyprus dispute. Talks are due to resume in New York shortly. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State discussed the way forward with Dr. Boutros-Ghali on 3 March and with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mr. Cetin, on 26 February. We will continue to work hard to prepare the ground for a successsful outcome to negotiations.

§ 36. Mrs. Roche
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to meet the new President of Cyprus to discuss the situation on the island.

§ Mr. Garel-Jones
We have congratulated Mr. Clerides on his recent election success and welcome his commitment to attend continuing negotiations on the intercommunal dispute to be held by the United Nations in New York. No firm date has yet been set for a meeting with President Clerides, but we hope a mutually convenient opportunity may be found in advance of those talks.