HC Deb 14 June 1994 vol 244 cc403-4W
Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when(a) he and (b) one of his Ministers next plans to visit Cyprus (i) to discuss a solution to the problems of the island and (ii) for other purposes.

Mr. Goodlad

There are no plans for a visit to Cyprus by an FCO Minister in the immediate future.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how he plans to support Cyprus's application to join the European Union.

Mr. Goodlad

The United Kingdom has welcomed Cyprus's membership application. There are clearly difficulties in Cyprus joining the European Union while the intercommunal dispute remains unresolved. The Council will review Cyprus's application early in 1995 in the light of developments in the intercommunal process. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom supports the Commission's talks with Cyprus to familiarise it with the EC's existing legislation.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ministers have visited the Republic of Cyprus since 1979(a) to discuss a solution to the political problems there and (b) for other purposes; who those Ministers were; and which Cypriot Ministers they met.

Mr. Goodlad

Ministerial visits to Cyprus since 1979 are set out in the table:

  1. (a) Ministerial visits to Cyprus to discuss a solution to the political problems there:
    • April 1980 — Lord Privy Seal (Rt. Hon. Sir Ian Gilmour) met President Kyprianou and Foreign Minister Rolandis.
    • October 1983 — (Lady Young), Minister of State, FCO met President Kyprianou, Foreign Minister Iacovou and Defence Minister Veniamin
    • October 1993 — The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met President Clerides and Foreign Minister Michaelides
  2. (b) Ministerial visits to Cyprus for other purposes:
    • December 1992 — (Mr. Hugh Rossi, MP), Minister of State for Social Security and the Disabled met Mr. Papageorgliou, Minister for Labour and Social Insurance.
    • September 1983 — (Mrs. Peggy Fenner), Parliamentary Secretary, MAFF, met Mr. Andreou, Minister of Commerce.
    • September 1983 — (Mr. Richard Luce), Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, met Mr. Veniamin, the Acting Foreign Minister.
    • November 1983 — (Mr. Channon), United Kingdom Minister for Trade, met Mr. Andreou.
    • July 1984 — (Mr. Peter Brooke), Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Department of Education and Science, attended Commonwealth Education Ministers Conference.
    • September 1989 — (Mr. David Mellor), Minister of State, Department of Health, attended Conference of European Ministers responsible for Family Affairs.
    • October 1990 — (Baroness Hooper), Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, attended Conference of European Health Ministers.
    • June 1992 — (Mr. Michael Jack), Minister of State at the Home Office, attended meeting of European Ministers of Justice.
    • October 1992 — (Dr. Brian Mawhinney), Minister of State for Health attended Commonwealth Health Ministers Conference.
    • May 1993 — The Lord Chancellor, (Lord Mackay of Clashfern), attended Commonwealth Law Conference.
    • September 1993 — (Lady Chalker), Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Minister for Overseas Development, attended Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference.