HC Deb 16 June 1994 vol 244 c639W
Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under which treaty provisions Cyprus is prohibited from joining the European Union; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Heathcoat Amory

Under article 0 of the treaty on European Union any European state may apply to become a member of the Union. There is no prohibition in this treaty, or in the treaty of Rome, on Cyprus joining. But there are clearly difficulties in its doing so while the inter-communal dispute remains unresolved. The Council will review Cyprus's application early in 1995 in the light of developments in the inter-communal process. The United Kingdom supports Cyprus's membership application and the Commission's talks with Cyprus to familiarise it with the EC's existing legislation.