Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the number of(a) Greek and (b) Turkish fighter planes based in Cyprus; [57591]
(2) what representations he has made concerning the stationing of foreign fighter planes in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [57593]
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§ Ms QuinWe are not aware that any Greek or Turkish fighter planes are permanently based in Cyprus. But recent deployments of fighter planes in Cyprus by both Greece and Turkey have shown how easily tension can be raised. In line with UNSCR 1178 of 29 June we continue to urge all parties to refrain from any action which would exacerbate tensions on the island.
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's role as a guarantor power for the Republic of Cyprus. [57592]
§ Ms QuinThe UK's role as a party to the 1960 Cyprus Treaty of Guarantee is, along with Greece and Turkey, to recognise and guarantee the independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Cyprus.
We are committed to using the UK's position as a Guarantor Power to assist the people of Cyprus to achieve a political settlement in Cyprus.
§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs over what period the EU has made funds of 12 mecu available to support progress towards a political settlement in Cyprus; how many applications have been made by organisations representing both main communities and for what purposes; and how the results of such grants are monitored and assessed. [57960]
§ Ms QuinThe fourth Financial Protocol on financial and technical assistance between the European Community and the Republic of Cyprus originally covered the period from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 1998. This period has now been extended to 31 December 1999. Under this Protocol the EU set aside 12 mecu in grants for potential initiatives agreed jointly in Cyprus to promote a general settlement of the Cyprus question. So far 111,370 ecu has been committed to activities of the Cyprus All Island Trade Union Forum, although no money has actually been spent. Responsibility for monitoring funds spent under the fourth Financial Protocol lies with the Commission office in Nicosia. The Community and Cyprus will at least once during the period of implementation of the Protocol make an assessment of the implementation of the programme as a whole.
§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will define the projects which can apply for grants from the five mecu allocated by the EU for bi-communal projects in Cyprus; over what period such funds are available; how many applications have so far been made; and by what process aided projects are monitored and assessed. [57961]
§ Ms QuinThe fourth Protocol on financial and technical assistance between the European Community and the Republic of Cyprus states that 5 mecu shall be for projects to promote the development of the whole island. These funds were initially made available from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 1998. That period has now been extended for a period of one year to 31 December 1999. Three applications for funds have been approved (although to date no funds have been disbursed). These are:
- 0.9 mecu for cleaning a river which crosses south-north in Nicosia;
- 1.3mecu to restore Hala Sultan Teke, an Islamic shrine near Larnaca;
543 - 1.5 mecu support for the Institute for Neurology and Genetics, a clinic and research centre.
Responsibility for monitoring expenditure under the Protocol lies with the Commission office in Cyprus. The Protocol specifies that the Community and Cyprus will at least once during the period make an assessment of the implementation of the programme of funding as a whole.