§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is towards(a) Cyprus and (b) Turkey in the light of the outcome of the referendums in Cyprus on 24 April. [R] [169809]
§ Mr. MacShaneI draw my hon. Friend's attention to the Foreign Secretary's written statement of 28 April 2004,Official Report, columns 44-46WS. The statement contained the Government's response to the outcome of the voting on 24 April and referred to the conclusions on Cyprus from the General Affairs and External Relations Council of 26 April 2004. UK policy is fully reflected in these decisions of the European Union, which I very much welcome.
I very much value our close relationship with the Republic of Cyprus. I look forward to this continuing, enhanced by the new dimension of EU membership after 1 May.
Like our EU partners, the UK is keen to see an end to the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. This does not mean a change in the government's policy of not recognising the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". But the situation in the north of the island has changed—the Turkish Cypriots have expressed a clear desire for a future within the EU, and on the basis of a reunified island. That is our objective too. As we work to achieve it, the EU is committed to addressing the economic disparity between the north and south.
The EU has also welcomed Turkey's constructive approach to the settlement negotiations. The lack of a Cyprus settlement should not impede the opening of accession negotiations on the basis of the Copenhagen criteria. We will continue to work with Turkey to encourage the implementation of the necessary reforms, so that the European Council can take a positive decision in December 2004.