§ Mr. Russell BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with political leaders in Cyprus with a view to securing a deal to reunite Cyprus before 1 May. [164191]
§ Mr. MacShaneMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met the Foreign Minister of Cyprus at the European Council on 25 March. On 31 March, the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Greek Foreign Minister, who was in Switzerland for the final stage of settlement negotiations. He also recently spoke to the Turkish Foreign Minister. The Foreign Secretary discussed Europe's role in securing a Cyprus settlement in recent meetings with EU Foreign Ministers. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has written to the Prime Ministers of Turkey and Greece, and President Papadopoulos of Cyprus, in recent days.
The Foreign Secretary has made a written statement today on the outcome of the Buergenstock negotiations. With the help of the UN Secretary-General the leaders in Cyprus have peace within their grasp. We are calling on all the people of the island to seize that chance. It will then be for the EU to accommodate the terms of a Cyprus settlement in line with the principles upon which 1643W the EU is founded. The EU reiterated that commitment as recently as the last European Council on 26 March 2004.