Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Malloch-Brown (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 July 2007.

Cyprus: UK Policy

Question
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Malloch-Brown on 11 July (WA 221), how they define their policy of ““non-recognition”” towards the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; and what assessment they have made of the impact of that policy on the human rights of Turkish Cypriots since November 1983.
Answer

The UK recognises the Republic of Cyprus as the sole state foreseen in the 1960 constitution. The ““Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”” (TRNC), established by a ““unilateral declaration of independence”” in 1983, is not recognised by the UK (or by any other state apart from Turkey). Following the ““unilateral declaration of independence”” the then Foreign Secretary (the right honourable and learned Lord, Lord Howe of Aberavon) made the following statement in another place: ““Her Majesty’s Government deplore this action by the Turkish Cypriot community, which amounts to a declaration of secession. We have issued a statement which makes it clear that this is incompatible with the 1960 treaties. Our position has always been that we recognise only one Republic of Cyprus. That remains the position today””. The UK policy on recognition of the TRNC has remained unaltered since 1983. The Government continue to support the EU initiatives aimed at ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots described in the reply that my noble friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman, gave to the noble Lord on 13 June (Official Report, WA 255-56). In particular, the Government support efforts to bring the Turkish Cypriot community closer to Europe through, for example, financial aid and trade liberalisation. The continued division of Cyprus has an impact on the ability of Cypriots from both communities to enjoy the full range of freedoms and rights. The recent United Nations report from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the question of human rights in Cyprus (available at: www.ohchr.orb/english/countries/cy) highlights a number of ongoing concerns. However, as that report concludes, the situation of human rights in Cyprus would be greatly improved by the achievement of a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. It is on this that the UK will continue to focus its efforts.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
4908; 694 c89-90WA
Session
2006-07
Related items
Cyprus: Official Visits
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
Written questions
House of Lords
Cyprus: Annan Plan
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Cyprus Human rights Recognition of states Northern Cyprus
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk