HL Deb 29 January 2003 vol 643 c155WA
Lord Moynihan

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What practical support they are offering to help bring about a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem by 28 February on the basis of the United Nations Secretary-General's proposals. [HL1087]

The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)

The UK continues to give full support to the UN efforts to secure, by 28 February, a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement on the basis of the UN Secretary-General's revised proposals of 10 December. This would allow both sides of the island to hold referenda in time for a reunited Cyprus to sign the Treaty of Accession with the European Union on 16 April. Our preference remains for a reunited Cyprus to accede to the EU, which would be in the best interests of all Cypriots, of Greece and Turkey, of Europe and the region as a whole.

We maintain a high level of political engagement with the UN-led process. For example, when my right honourable friends the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met Turkish Ministers at the Copenhagen European Council in December and when my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence visited Ankara on 8 January. The UK Special Representative for Cyprus, the noble Lord, Lord Hannay, will visit Athens, Ankara and Nicosia in the next two weeks in order to help facilitate negotiations.