Written question asked by Andrew Dismore (Labour) on Thursday, 8 November 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 November 2007. It was answered by Jim Murphy (Labour) on Monday, 3 December 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Northern Cyprus: Smuggling

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the risk of smuggling (a) people and (b) narcotics from Syria to Northern Cyprus and into the EU through the green line, with particular reference to the new ferry service from Syria to Famagusta; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: In the Green Line Regulation report, October 2007, the EU Commission reported that there are large numbers of illegal immigrants who enter into the EU via the Green Line every year.The UK is concerned about the risk of people and narcotics smuggling to north Cyprus, and through the Green Line. We have sought to build the capacity of the Turkish Cypriot community to counter these threats to Cyprus and the EU, by whatever route they arrive.

Secondary information