Paul Kehoe
Question:41 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent referendum in Cyprus regarding reunification of the island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14498/04]
View answerWednesday, 19 May 2004
Questions (63)
Written answers
The Government regret that following the outcome of the referendums in Cyprus on 24 April, the accession of a united Cyprus was not possible on 1 May. The accession of a united Cyprus had been the strong preference of the European Union.
I would like to place on record again the deep appreciation of the Government for the determined and sustained efforts of UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, and his colleagues in the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. We also welcome the positive role played by the Governments of Greece and of Turkey.
The meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, which I chaired on 26 April, reviewed the situation in the light of the referendum results. The Council expressed its determination to ensure that the people of Cyprus will soon achieve their shared destiny as citizens of a united Cyprus in the European Union. The Council noted that, through the referendum, the Turkish Cypriot community have expressed their clear desire for a future within the EU. It expressed our determination to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging their economic development.
In the coming weeks, at the request of the Council, the Commission will present comprehensive proposals on assistance for the Turkish Cypriot community, with particular emphasis on the economic integration of the island and on improving contacts between the two communities and with the EU. The Commission proposals will also include measures to implement the recommendation by the Council that the €259 million already earmarked for the northern part of Cyprus in the event of a comprehensive settlement should now be used to promote the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community.
The UN Secretary General is expected to submit a full report to the UN Security Council in the near future on his mission of good offices on Cyprus. This will include his account of the negotiations he undertook with the parties, which led up to the referenda on 24 April. Secretary General Annan is expected to draw conclusions and to make recommendations to the Security Council. We will be paying very close attention to his report and to the response of the Security Council.