§ Mr. BestTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the political situation in Cyprus. [132236]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe British Government continue to believe that securing a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus by 1 May 2004, and enabling Cyprus to accede to the EU as a reunited island, is in the best interests of all Cypriots, and of the wider region. It is clear that a majority of people in both the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities are also looking to their leaders to bring this about.
The best way to do so would be for the parties to re-engage on the basis of the detailed settlement proposals presented by the UN Secretary General. The Annan Plan is balanced, practicable and compatible with the EU acquis-the EU has frequently reiterated its strong preference for accession by a reunited island and its willingness to accommodate the terms of a settlement negotiated through the UN process.
President Papadopoulos has affirmed that he is ready to negotiate on this basis. Mr. Denktash's latest statements, however, suggest that he is opposed not only to the Annan Plan but also to the UNSG's Good Offices. We hope the Turkish side will find a way out of this rejectionist stance, in time to enable all Cypriots and Turkey itself to reap the benefits.