Vol. 571 No. 2
116 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consideration the GAERC had given to the reconciliation of the two communities in Cyprus with a view to Cyprus entering the EU in May 2004 as a united entity. [21121/03]
The situation in Cyprus is a matter of the greatest importance for the EU and has been considered at successive meetings of the European Council.
The Copenhagen European Council in December 2002 confirmed that Cyprus will be admitted to the European Union on 1 May 2004, along with nine other countries. It reiterated the strong preference for the accession of a unified Cyprus but agreed that in the absence of a comprehensive settlement, the application of the Union's laws and regulations to the northern part of the island will be suspended. The Brussels European Council, in March 2003 reaffirmed the Copenhagen decisions and regretted that the efforts of the UN Secretary General to find a comprehensive settlement had failed. The Council urged all parties concerned to spare no effort towards a just, viable and functional settlement.
Reviewing developments in June, the Thessaloniki European Council agreed that the accession of Cyprus is creating favourable conditions for the two communities on the island to reach a comprehensive settlement and recalled the EU's willingness to accommodate the terms of a settlement in line with the principles on which the Union is founded. The Council urged all parties concerned, particularly Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, to strongly support the UN Secretary General's efforts and called for an early resumption of the talks on the basis of his proposals.
Since the failure of the UN-sponsored negotiations in March, measures have been taken to ease restrictions on contacts and communications between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. These have shown that peaceful co-operation is possible and that the two communities could live together in a united Cyprus. While these measures are welcome, it is the clear view of the European Union that they do not provide a substitute for negotiations on the basis of Secretary General Annan's proposals. I continue to believe that a comprehensive settlement can be achieved if all parties commit themselves to the resumption of negotiations. Difficult compromises will be required by political leaders on all sides if the Greek and Turkish Cypriots are to become citizens of the European Union together on 1 May 2004. Ireland is ready to assist in whatever way it can during our Presidency next year.
