Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Thursday, 10 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 18 March 2005. It was answered by Denis MacShane (Labour) on Friday, 18 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, how many Turkish troops are stationed in Northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Turkish troops are stationed in Northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [221553] Mr. MacShane: We have no precise figures of our own. Current estimates range from 20-35,000. Turkey supported the UN Secretary-General's Comprehensive Settlement Plan for Cyprus, which provided for a staged reduction in troop numbers. If the island had reunited on the basis of the plan, Turkish troops would have been reduced by over 80 per cent. by the end of 2007, with a further 50 per cent. reduction within the following four years. Thereafter, the plan allowed for 650 troops to remain in the north of Cyprus, the same number of Turkish troops as set out in the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee. This agreement would be subject to regular reviews with a view to eventual withdrawal by mutual consent.

Secondary information