British Parliament on Greek affairs
House of Commons Debates for 14 Dec 1998 (pt 9)
European Council (Vienna)

The Prime Minister: …On enlargement, the European Council welcomed the fact that the first practical results have been reached in negotiations with Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia. It also welcomed progress made by Romania, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Bulgaria. It welcomed the reactivation of Malta's application, and recognised the importance of implementing the European Union's strategy to prepare Turkey for membership. Work in all these areas will intensify next year.


Mr. Robin Corbett (Birmingham, Erdington): I welcome my right hon. Friend's assurance that the talks on the admission of Cyprus to the European Union are proceeding and are on track. What progress has been achieved between the Commission and Turkey on making it clearer to the Turkish authorities what they have to do, and over what time scale, to enhance their prospects of entry?

The Prime Minister: In respect of Cyprus, we made it clear that the accession negotiations should continue. Obviously, it would help the negotiations to proceed faster and better if we got a resolution of the essential problem of Cyprus. On Turkey, we specifically and in terms endorsed the European strategy vis-a-vis Turkey which was agreed at the Cardiff summit, and we will continue to pursue that. As I have made clear on many occasions, we want relations between the EU and Turkey to be developed and strengthened. I believe that they can be strengthened.

 


House of Commons Written Answers for 9 Dec 1998 (pt 10)
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (Cyprus)
Mr. Cox: Question Number [62597]

Cyprus

Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the United Nations Special Representative on Cyprus, regarding her negotiations on the Cyprus issue; and if he will make a statement. [62597]

Ms Quin: We remain firmly committed to supporting UN efforts towards a comprehensively political settlement in Cyprus. We warmly welcomed the UN Secretary- General's 30 September announcement of a process for on-island contacts with both parties, led by the UN Deputy Special Representative for Cyprus, Dame Ann Hercus, aimed at reducing tensions and promoting progress towards a just and lasting settlement. Dame Ann has secured the agreement of the two parties to treat discussions within this process as confidential. We respect this, and urge both sides to co-operate in a constructive and flexible manner with Dame Ann, with whom we maintain close contact through our High Commissioner in Nicosia.

 


EARLY DAY MOTION       ( EDM 109    09.12.98)

VISIT OF MAYORS OF FAMAGUSTA, KARAVAS, KYRENIA , KYTHREA AND LEFKONIKO

O’Hara/Edward

"That this House extends a warm welcome to Mr A. Pouyouros, Mayor of Famagusta, Mr P. Tsentas, Mayor of Karavas, Mrs E. Leptos, Mayor of Kyrenia, Mr C. Frangoudes, Mayor of Kythrea and Mr. M Pilikos, Mayor of Lefkoniko; applauds their action in carrying to Westminster their petition on behalf of the human rights of their constituents who are refugees denied access to their homes in the occupied part of Cyprus; pledges its support for all initiatives to being about a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem; and looks forward to the day when all the citizens of Cyprus, whatever their ethnic origin, may once again live together peacefully in a free united Cyprus."

O'Hara/Edward [R], Chapman/Sydney [R], , Cox/Tom, Love/Andrew, Davis/Terry, Lepper/David, Perham/Linda, Etherington/Bill, Cohen/Harry, Godman/Norman A, Barnes/Harry, Jones/Lynne, Russell/Bob, Wareing/Robert N, Dismore/Andrew, Vis/Rudi, Clarke/Eric, Austin/John, Hancock/Mike