Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Thursday, 10 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 17 March 2005. It was answered by Denis MacShane (Labour) on Thursday, 17 March 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether a minister from his Department has visited the closed area of Famagusta; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether a Minister from his Department has visited the closed area of Famagusta; and if he will make a statement. [221557] Mr. MacShane: I visited Famagusta in October 2004 and saw the sad state of Varosha which has not been inhabited since 1974. The closed area of Famagusta has not been part of recent visits to Cyprus by Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers, although our high commissioner has visited, under the auspices of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

Secondary information