§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussion he has had with the Turkish Government on the overflying of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkish military aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [54412]
§ Ms QuinWe have repeatedly made clear to all concerned, including the Turkish Government, our concerns about military activity in Cyprus. In line with the relevant UN resolutions, we have urged all parties to refrain from any action, particularly in the vicinity of the buffer zone, which would exacerbate tension.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he has had and with whom in Northern Cyprus on the offer of President Clerides of Cyprus for Northern Cyprus to take part in the Cypriot team discussing that country's application for membership of the European Union; [54416]
(2) what discussions has he had with Turkish representatives on the offer made by President Clerides of the Republic of Cyprus to include Turkish Cypriots within the Cypriot delegation to discuss the application of Cyprus for membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement; [54413]
(3) what discussions has he had with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus on their offer to Turkish Cypriot representatives in northern Cyprus to participate in the negotiating team representing Cyprus in their application for membership of the European Union. [54414]
§ Ms QuinWe welcome President Clerides's offer to the Turkish Cypriot community to participate in the team negotiating Cyprus's EU accession. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made this clear when he met President Clerides on 12 March. We continue to urge both sides to work actively to promote such participation. Sir David Hannay, acting in his capacity as UK Special Representative for Cyprus and as the Austrian EU Presidency Representative for Cyprus, visited the island on 20–22 July and discussed with President Clerides the importance of continued efforts to encourage Turkish Cypriot acceptance of his offer. The then Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson) conveyed the same message to Cyprus's Chief EU Negotiator, George Vassiliou, when the latter visited the UK on 2 July.
We are in regular contact with the Turkish Cypriot community in northern Cyprus, including Mr. Denktash, through our High Commission in Nicosia. We have made clear on several occasions that we consider President Clerides's offer to the Turkish Cypriots to participate in 687W Cyprus's EU accession negotiations to be reasonable. We continue to urge them to agree with the Greek Cypriot side an arrangement acceptable to both parties allowing their participation in those negotiations. Sir David Hannay reiterated this message to representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community during his recent visit to Cyprus.
We remain in regular contact on this issue with the Turkish Government through our Embassy in Ankara. We continue to stress to them the importance of Turkey's constructive cooperation on Cyprus.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Austrian Government as holders of the presidency of the European Union on the application by the Republic of Cyprus for membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [54415]