HC Deb 06 December 1996 vol 286 cc824-5W
Mr. MacShane

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts he has had with the Greek Cypriot Government since 1 January. [7656]

Mr. David Davis

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary had talks with President Clerides and Foreign Minister Michaelides of Cyprus on 19 June. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary had further discussions with them in New York on 27 September.

Mr. MacShane

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the advantages of acceptance of the application by Cyprus for membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [7659]

Mr. Davis

We welcome the European Union's acceptance of Cyprus's application to join the EU and the decision to open accession negotiations six months after the end of the intergovernmental conference. The UK shares the hopes of most EU member states that Cyprus will join the EU as a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation following a comprehensive political settlement. On that basis, it will bring considerable benefits to both communities on the island.

Mr. MacShane

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking in respect of proposals to reunify Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [7671]

Mr. Davis

We are determined to put our full weight behind UN-led efforts to achieve a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions which call for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary will visit Cyprus later this month to take forward discussions to this end.