Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to his efforts to support a solution to the Cyprus crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12113/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The United Nations has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. The Government fully supports the leadership of the UN Secretary General in this important work, and we welcome the efforts of the Secretary-General's Special Representative to Cyprus, Mr. Michael Moeller, to bring both sides together to seek progress toward a political settlement.

The most recent initiative in this regard dates from July 2006, when UN Under Secretary General Gambari brokered an agreement between President Papadopoulos and Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, representing the Turkish Cypriot community, on a set of principles and decisions recognising that the status quo was unacceptable and that a comprehensive settlement was both desirable and possible. They agreed to begin immediately a two-track process involving discussions by technical committees of issues affecting the day-to-day life of the people and, concurrently, of substantive issues leading to a comprehensive settlement. Regrettably however, these committees were not subsequently set up amid disagreements as to which committee was responsible for which issues. Consultations to try to resolve the impasse resumed at the end of January 2007, under the auspices of the Special Representative, but without success as yet.

On a more hopeful note, there have been some positive steps in recent months by both sides in relation to access across the Green Line which divides the communities. These have focused on the Ledra Street Crossing in Nicosia, where most recently the Cypriot authorities have removed a wall which has divided the communities there since 1963. We welcome this step, and all actions that help to create the conditions for the opening of these crossing points, which can in turn increase the level of contact and confidence between the two communities.

Ireland will continue, through our Embassy in Nicosia, to encourage both sides to renew their commitment to the negotiating process and the achievement of the objective of a bizonal, bicommunal federal State through an honourable, balanced and durable settlement protecting and guaranteeing the basic interests and aspirations of all.