Written answers

Wednesday, 26 January 2005

Department of Foreign Affairs

Official Engagements

9:00 pm

Photo of Charlie O'ConnorCharlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding his contacts in respect of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1066/05]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has regular contact with the Government of Cyprus, which has been a partner in the EU since 1 May 2004. I have the opportunity to review developments with Foreign Minister George Iacovou at the monthly meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. The Taoiseach and I attended the European Council in Brussels on 16 and 17 December 2004, at which the main subject for decision was the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey. This is an issue on which Cyprus has particular concerns, and President Papadopoulos played an important role in the deliberations of the European Council.

The European Council decided, on the basis of the report and recommendation presented by the Commission, that Turkey sufficiently fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria to enable the opening of accession negotiations. It invited the Commission to begin work on the preparation of a draft framework for negotiations with Turkey, to be agreed by the Council with a view to opening negotiations on 3 October 2005. A crucial issue in this decision was Turkey's attitude to the Republic of Cyprus.

In the early months of 2004, the Turkish Government made a very positive contribution to the efforts of the UN Secretary General to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. However, Turkey does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state. Ireland and other member states took the view that, in order to enable agreement on the opening of accession negotiations, Turkey should make a clear political move on a process leading to the normalisation of relations with the Republic of Cyprus. The European Council welcomed Turkey's decision to sign the protocol on the adaptation of the Ankara Agreement of association with the EU to take account of the accession of the ten new member states on 1 May 2004. It also welcomed the declaration by the Turkish Government that it would do so before the start of negotiations.

The United Nations has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. The EU enlargement process provided the impetus for the most recent efforts, which were undertaken by Secretary General Annan in 2004, during Ireland's EU Presidency. The Government gave its full support to the Secretary General in his mission of good offices, and maintained close contact with him, with his special adviser on Cyprus, and with the various parties concerned. As a result of the referendums in Cyprus on 24 April, the accession to the EU of a united Cyprus on 1 May 2004 was not possible.

On 28 May, the UN Secretary General submitted a comprehensive report to the Security Council on his mission of good offices. He noted that the unsuccessful outcome represented another missed opportunity to resolve the Cyprus problem, and concluded that there was no apparent basis for resuming the good offices effort while the current stalemate continues. At this stage, the process remains under consideration in the UN Security Council.

In the absence of a comprehensive settlement, the Republic of Cyprus acceded to the Union on 1 May, and the application of the laws and regulations of the Union to the northern part of the island is suspended. The General Affairs and External Relations Council on 26 April 2004 expressed a determination to ensure that the people of Cyprus would soon achieve their shared destiny as citizens of a united Cyprus in the European Union. It agreed on the need to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging its economic development.

The Irish Presidency subsequently achieved the agreement of member states to a Council regulation on the dividing line in Cyprus, including measures to allow trade across the line. At the request of the Council, the Commission brought forward proposals in July aimed at the economic integration of the island and improving contact between the two communities and with the EU. These proposals remain under active consideration by the member states.

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