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Cyprus
Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts on the future of Cyprus and if he will make a statement. [150033]
Mr. MacShane: I frequently discuss the future of Cyprus with my European colleagues. We all agree on the desirability of an early settlement of the Cyprus problem so that a united island can join the EU on 1 May. This remains the Government's objective.
Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of prospects for an agreement between Greece and Turkey on the issue of the future sovereignty of Cyprus when the island accedes to the European Union on 1 May and if he will make a statement. [150034]
Mr. MacShane: The Government continue to believe that a settlement to the Cyprus problem is achievable by 1 May. But this will only be possible if all sides meet the requirements set down by the UNSG in April last year, and make a full and clear commitment to reach a settlement on the basis of the UNSG's proposals. Current indications give some cause for optimism. I was impressed during my recent visit to Turkey by the Turkish Government's determination to work for an early settlement.
Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the role of the latest UN plan for the sovereignty of Cyprus in achieving an agreement between Greece and Turkey and if he will make a statement. [150035]
Mr. MacShane: The Government believe that the UNSG's proposals are the only basis for a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. The proposals are the product of involvement by the UN over many years. I can see no other solution that can adequately satisfy the legitimate concerns of all sides (including Greece and Turkey) on the island's future.
Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the (a) Turkish ambassador and (b) Greek ambassador to discuss the future of Cyprus. [150036]
Mr. MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met the Greek Foreign Minister on 22 January 2004. The Greek ambassador was present. The Foreign Secretary has not had a substantive meeting with the Turkish ambassador so far this year. But we are in very close contact with the Turkish embassy, and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara. I met the Turkish ambassador on 21 January. The future of Cyprus was one of the main topics of discussion in all of these meetings.
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Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what priorities he has set for assisting in negotiations aimed at achieving an agreement between Greece and Turkey on the sovereignty of Cyprus. [150037]
Mr. MacShane: Our first priority regarding Cyprus is to work for a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement. We believe the best, and only realistic, way of achieving this is through the continued efforts of the United Nations. We are actively encouraging all sides to meet the UN Secretary General's requirements for an early resumption of negotiations based on the UNSG's proposals, so that a united Cyprus can join the EU on 1 May 2004.
Departmental Properties
Mr. Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list residential properties sold by his Department since June 1997, and the net cash proceeds of each. [149856]
Mr. Rammell: Since June 1997 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has sold the following residential accommodation:
Note:
The total receipts for the period covered is £88.5 million.
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For reasons of commercial confidentiality the FCO cannot give under exemption 13 of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information individual sales figures.
Mr. Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the residential properties purchased by his Department since June 1997, and the total cash cost of each. [149857]
Mr. Rammell: Since June 1997 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has purchased the following residential properties:
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The FCO is withholding information in individual purchase figures under exemption 12 of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
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