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29 Nov 2007 : Column 692W—continued
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the North Cyprus Property Commission’s ability to (a) pay compensation for and (b) order restitution of Greek Cypriot property (i) promptly and (ii) in full. [163118]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has made no assessment of the ability of the Immovable Property Commission to fulfil its functions. This matter is properly before the European Court of Human Rights.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of bicommunal activity in Cyprus sponsored or organised by (a) the UK, (b) the UN, (c) other countries, (d) the Republic of Cyprus, (e) Turkish Cypriots, (f) civil society in the Republic of Cyprus and (g) civil society in Northern Cyprus. [163218]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The UK supports a range of bicommunal activities. For example, we have provided financial support for the UN Commission on missing persons and have promoted bicommunal discussions highlighting the economic benefits of a solution. My right hon. Friend the Member for Enfield North (Joan Ryan), the UK Special Representative to Cyprus, met bicommunal civil society groups in October, during her visit to the island.
The bulk of the UN work on bicommunal activities is organised by Action for Co-operation and Trust in Cyprus (ACT). The ACT was created in October 2005 and has a total budget of US$26.5 million. It is managed directly by the UN Development programme. More information about the work of ACT can be found at:
Notwithstanding these efforts, the UN Security Council noted in its last resolution on the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus mandate that the search for peace in Cyprus would benefit from more bicommunal activity.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress there has been in cross-green line co-operation between police services of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots; and if he will make a statement. [163131]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not aware of any co-operation between the police services of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots.
The technical committees envisaged under the 8 July 2006 agreement would provide a forum for discussion of those issues, such as crime, that would benefit from enhanced bicommunal co-operation. We continue to urge the rapid implementation of the 8 July agreement.
Mr. Dismore:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the EU's 259 million euros aid package to Turkish
Cypriots (a) has been spent and (b) is contracted to be spent; what obstacles there are to the disbursement of the aid; and if he will make a statement. [163128]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The financial aid regulation is supporting practical projects designed to bring the Turkish Cypriot community closer to Europe. The European Commission's 2007 report on the Financial Aid Regulation, available at
provides a full account of implementation of the regulation. By October 2007, €61 million had been tendered for; total amount contracted reached €25 million; and a total of €8 million has now been spent.
Potential obstacles to effective implementation of the regulation cited in the report include: tight contracting deadlines, property issues, low absorption capacity, staffing of the programme team and lack of co-operation between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. The Commission is working hard to overcome these obstacles, delivering projects that promote reunification by bringing the Turkish Cypriots closer to Europe.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the euro circulating in the Republic of Cyprus on (a) the Turkish Cypriot economy and (b) Turkish Cypriot people and their savings; and if he will make a statement. [163126]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The UK has made no such assessment. As the application of the EU's acquis communitaire is suspended in those areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control, the euro will not be legal tender there. It will be the responsibility of the EU Commission to monitor the impact of the introduction of the euro. The UK continues to believe that bringing Turkish Cypriots closer to the EU will help to build economic links between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, and will make a future settlement less costly to accommodate. The UK has promoted academic research and public debate on the role the single currency might play in promoting economic integration and reunification of the island.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the process of preparing conversion of the currency in the Republic of Cyprus to euros; and if he will make a statement. [163216]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The UK has not made any such assessment. Any such assessment would be the responsibility of the EU Commission. When the EU Council agreed on 10 July that Cyprus would be allowed to adopt the euro from 1 January 2008, it also encouraged Cyprus to continue with appropriate policies to ensure that it could make the most of the benefits of joining the euro, in particular on budgetary rigour, structural reform and maintaining the competitiveness of their economy.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made on opening new crossing points over the green line in Cyprus, apart from Ledra Street; and if he will make a statement. [163114]
Mr. Jim Murphy: We strongly support the efforts of the UN to broker an agreement between the parties, which would permit the opening of the symbolic Ledra Street crossing, or other green line crossing points. That would constitute a significant confidence building measure. This message was reinforced in the resolution on Cyprus adopted by the UN Security Council on 15 June. Although there have been positive gestures by both sides, key issues remaining including the demarcation of the buffer zone at Ledra Street. We continue to believe that further crossing points should be opened on the basis of arrangements used at existing crossing points, and call upon all involved to extend their full co-operation to the UN.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) prospects for and (b) obstacles to opening a new green line crossing point at Ledra Street, Nicosia; and if he will make a statement. [163115]
Mr. Jim Murphy: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him today (UIN 163114).
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of levels of cross-green line crime in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [163130]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has made no formal assessment of the level of cross-green line crime in Cyprus. However, we remain concerned that lack of co-operation between the two sides on criminal matters provides a hospitable environment for organised criminal groups. The technical committees envisaged under the 8 July 2006 agreement would provide a forum for discussion of this issue. We continue to urge the rapid implementation of the 8 July agreement.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the UK stopped providing data to the Republic of Cyprus authorities about movements of people from the North of Cyprus through the Sovereign Base Areas checkpoints; for what reason this stopped; and if he will make a statement. [163214]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) provide all information at their disposal on the movement of people to the Republic of Cyprus. There is practical co-operation between SBA and Republic of Cyprus officials on a daily basis, and regular meetings take place between the SBAs, Republic of Cyprus and the European Commission where information on movement of persons and goods is exchanged.
Mr. Dismore:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of Turkish Cypriots (a)
resident in the south of Cyprus and (b) visiting the south on a daily basis for work; and if he will make a statement. [163215]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Government have not estimated the number of Turkish Cypriots who reside and work in the Republic of Cyprus.
In the period 1 May 2006 to 31 April 2007, according to the EU Commission report on the Green Line Regulation, 1,348,215 Turkish Cypriots crossed from the northern part of Cyprus to the Government-controlled area. This was broken down as 812,756 in the first six months and 535,459 in the second.
We regret any reduction in contacts between the two communities. We believe that increased people-to- people contacts, and trade between the two communities and the rest of the EU, can make an important contribution to solving the Cyprus problem.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made with the missing persons initiative in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [163111]
Mr. Jim Murphy: We welcome the progress of the Committee on Missing Persons since it launched its project on the Exhumation, Identification and Return of Remains of Missing Persons in August 2006. The committee carries out important humanitarian work, identifying and returning the remains of those who lost their lives during this period. The remains of 28 missing persons were returned to their families in July this year. We hope that this process will promote reconciliation between the communities.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will make available to the UN Missing Persons Committee in Cyprus the information that they hold on atrocities which result in the deaths of Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots and foreign nationals between 1960 and 1974; and if he will make a statement. [163112]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Government records from this period deemed worthy of preservation are, with a few exceptions, housed at the National Archive where they are available to the public, free of charge. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently selects on average 40 per cent. of created files for preservation, of which less than 1 per cent. are closed or retained (unavailable to the public).
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the expected budget shortfall for the UN missing persons initiative in Cyprus is for (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [163123]
Mr. Jim Murphy:
Any budget shortfall, as well as the budget for 2008-09, is a matter for the UN in the first instance. The UK has donated a total of £82,000 to the committee, including a contribution of £10,000 in the current financial year. By this and other means, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has supported and encouraged the efforts of the Committee on Missing
Persons in Cyprus and the UN Mission in Cyprus to promote outside donor support for the important work of the committee, as well as continuing support from the parties in Cyprus.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial assistance the UK is giving to the UN missing persons initiative in Cyprus in 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. [163124]
Mr. Jim Murphy: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to him today (UIN 163123).
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the British high commissioner for Cyprus last visited Rizokarpasso in northern Cyprus; what assessment he made of the (a) number, (b) scale and (c) reasons given for demolition of Greek Cypriot homes; what representations he made to the Turkish Cypriots; and if he will make a statement. [163110]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Our high commissioner in Nicosia last visited the Greek Cypriot community in Karpas on 22 June 2007 as part of a regular pattern of visits, which supplement the United Nations’ humanitarian and monitoring activity. The issue of the demolition of Greek Cypriot homes was specifically discussed during this visit and subsequently with the Turkish Cypriot leadership. Our high commission in Nicosia continues to urge the Turkish Cypriot leadership to respect the property rights of the enclaved Greek Cypriot communities.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the statement by President Gul in Northern Cyprus that the island consists of two states, two peoples and two religions; what his policy on this matter is; and if he will make a statement. [163117]
Mr. Jim Murphy: Turkey has frequently expressed its support for a settlement in Cyprus on the basis of political equality and a bizonal, bicommunal federation, negotiated through the good offices of the UN Secretary-General. Our contacts with the Turkish Government, both before and after President Gul’s comments, suggest that it is still their objective.
The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus reached agreement on 8 July 2006 on steps designed to lead to a resumption of settlement negotiations. That agreement, which has the full support of the UK, the UN Security Council and the international community, has yet to be implemented. During his recent meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister underlined the importance of all parties seizing the opportunity for progress next year.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) Famagusta and (b) Kyrenia meet the requirements of the 2004 International Ship and Port Facility Security Code; and if he will make a statement. [163213]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Government have not formally assessed whether the ports of Famagusta and Kyrenia meet the requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. The port facilities do not appear on the International Maritime Organisation’s list of facilities with approved security plans.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact on EU trade and shipping of the Turkish embargo on Cypriot and Cyprus- associated shipping; and if he will make a statement. [163121]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The European Commission is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the acquis by Turkey and for providing evidence-based impact assessments on the accession process. The UK has made no detailed assessment of the impact on EU trade and shipping of the Turkish embargo on Cypriot and Cyprus associated shipping. However, the opening of Turkish ports to Cypriot shipping would clearly have important economic benefits for the region as a whole. The interdependence that accompanies trade, both on the island and between Cyprus and Turkey, has an important role to play in reunifying the island.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to Turkey on its embargo on Cypriot shipping; and if he will make a statement. [163122]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Government regularly raise with Turkey the importance of fulfilling its obligations to the EU. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister did so when he met the Turkish Prime Minister on 23 October. The European Commission’s annual progress report on Turkey, published on 6 November—http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/key_documents/2007/nov/turkey_progress_reportts_en.pdf)—evaluates Turkey’s implementation of its obligations, including those under the Ankara Agreement Protocol.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the (a) effectiveness of the bicommunal school in Limassol and (b) proposals for Turkish Cypriots resident in Limassol of a separate school for Turkish Cypriot children; and if he will make a statement. [163134]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The UK is aware that ideas for a separate school for Turkish Cypriot children in Limassol have been discussed by the two communities. This is a long-standing issue. We hope that these discussions can produce agreement on how Turkish Cypriot children in Limassol can best be educated.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to promote progress on the July 2006 Gambari Agreement in Cyprus; what assessment he has made of the obstacles to such progress; and if he will make a statement. [163133]
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