The British government has reiterated its commitment to a solution in Cyprus based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, noting that it is not interested in arguments about the partition of the island.
“Our commitment is to a bi-zonal bi-communal Cyprus. We are not interested in arguments about partition. I make that absolutely clear”, said British Minister of State Lord Howell before the House of Lords.
He added that the British government is “fully supportive” of UN efforts to achieve a settlement in Cyprus “based on the bi-zonal concept with political equality as defined by the relevant Security Council resolutions”.
Commending the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu “for the progress they have made so far” at the UN – led Cyprus talks, he said that “we are seeking to do everything we can with our EU partners to upgrade the welfare position of the Turkish Cypriot people so that they are prepared, I hope, for the day when we can have the solution that we all want to see”.
In his statements, Lord Hannay, former British Special Representative on the Cyprus issue, noted that decisive progress in Turkey’s EU accession bid is the key that will unlock the door to a solution of the Cyprus problem.
“Turkish Foreign Minister’s Ahmet Davutoglu’s precept of zero problems with the neighbours is a fine policy slogan but Cyprus is a neighbour and so is Greece”, he said.
Lord Hannay noted that “the present impasse in the UN- led negotiations for a settlement of the Cyprus problem, although far from being solely the responsibility of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots will remain a pebble in their shoe for as long as it is not definitely removed”.
As he pointed out, “decisive progress in Turkey’s accession bid is surely the key that will unlock the door to a solution of the Cyprus problem”.
He went on to say that “we should be doing all that we can to help move those Cyprus negotiations forward”.
“The UN faces the usual Sisyphean task and needs all the help it can get. Unaided it will not succeed”, he concluded.
The Republic of Cyprus, which became a full EU member state in May 2004, is divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and since then occupy 37% of Cyprus’ territory. UN - led Cyprus talks are underway between President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu with a view to reunify the country.
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hhhmmmm interesting .......... see if they walk the talk
