§ Lord Kilclooneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the most recent European Commission report on the application of Cyprus to join the European Union refers solely to economic statistics for the southern sector of the island administered by Greek Cypriots or to economic statistics for the whole island of Cyprus. [HL4859]
§ The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)The 2001 European Commission regular report on Cyprus' progress towards accession has a section on the situation in the northern part of the island. This includes economic statistics.
§ Lord Kilclooneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the European Commission should record the statistics of the entire island of Cyprus if it proposes that the entire island of Cyprus should become a member of the European Union. [HL4860]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe European Council at Seville reiterated that in respect of Cyprus "The European Union's preference continues to be for the accession of a reunited island". The 2001 European Commission regular report on Cyprus' progress towards accession has a section on the situation in the northern part of the island. This includes economic statistics.
§ Lord Kilclooneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the European Union has advised the Greek Cypriot leadership that Cyprus can join the European Union without any settlement with, or approval of, the Turkish Cypriot administered Turkish Republic of Cyprus; and, if so, whether such a guarantee would be likely to encourage a settlement in the present inter-communal talks in Nicosia. [HL4862]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe UK is fully committed to the 1999 Helsinki Conclusions, which were reaffirmed at the Seville European Council, and which remain the basis of the EU's position on Cyprus. Helsinki stated that "The European Council underlines that a political settlement will facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the European Union. If no settlement has been reached by the completion of accession negotiations, the Council's decision on accession will he made without the above being a precondition. In this the Council will take account of56WA all relevant factors". Her Majesty's Government believe that it is in all parties' interests to reach a settlement this year.