§ Mr. BestTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Cyprus. [116954]
§ Mr. MacShaneI refer my hon. Friend to the Written Ministerial Statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 4 June,Official Report, column 22WS.
640WWe welcome the recent partial lifting of restrictions on freedom of movement across the Green line announced by the Turkish Cypriot authorities, and the Confidence Building Measures announced by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. However, such measures are not a substitute for a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the UN plan.
We warmly welcome the proposals announced by the Commission on 3 June, aimed at promoting economic development in the north of Cyprus and bringing it closer to the EU. We urge the authorities in the north of Cyprus to work with the Commission to deliver the best possible results for the Turkish Cypriots.