Northern Cyprus

HC Deb 14 May 1993 vol 224 cc621-2W

Mr. Gapes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Government Ministers have visited northern cyprus since 1979.

Mr. Garel-Jones

Five.

Mr. Gapes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the status of the United Kingdom's relations with the Turkish republic of northern Cyprus, and on the implications of the visit of the Lord Chancellor to Northern Cyprus.

Mr. Garel-Jones

We do not recognise the so-called Turkish republic of northern Cyprus, and neither does any other country except Turkey. We do acknowledge the legitimate interests of the Turkish Cypriot community, and have contact with their leaders in order to promote United Nations efforts for an intercommunal settlement in Cyprus and where British consular or other interests are concerned. The Lord Chancellor's informal meeting with Mr. Denktash is in line with this policy; and has no implications for our policy of non-recognition.