Written Answers - Foreign Conflicts.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:
138
Mr. Penrose
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the Government's view of the position in regard to Cyprus; if he supports the view that a permanent solution can be built on full compliance with UN resolutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6432/03]
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:
175
Mr. O'Dowd
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will make a statement on the current situation in Cyprus and the likelihood of a united Cyprus joining the EU in 2004.
[6538/03]
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:
258
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
his views on the outcome of the UN-brokered negotiations on the Cyprus conflict; his further views on the implications for EU enlargement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6785/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 138, 175 and 258 together.
Ireland fully supports the talks sponsored by the United Nations aimed at a comprehensive and lasting settlement in Cyprus, and the continuing efforts of the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan. As the House will be aware, the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities agreed to negotiate on the basis of the Secretary General's amended proposals with the objective of reaching agreement by 28 February 2003, and with a view to the accession of a united Cyprus to the European Union on 1 May 2004.
Last week, Secretary General Annan visited Ankara, Athens and Nicosia for detailed discussions on his newly-revised proposals. Regrettably, it did not prove possible to reach agreement on a comprehensive settlement by Friday 28 February. However, the Secretary General has secured the agreement of the leaders of the two communities, newly-elected President Tassos Papadopoulos and Mr. Rauf Denktash, to continue negotiating. He has invited them to meet with him in The Hague on 10 March and to commit themselves to the holding of simultaneous referendums on 30 March on a foundation agreement on a comprehensive settlement based on his proposals and the outcome of their negotiations.
This is an historic opportunity for the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities. I strongly urge the two leaders to co-operate fully with the UN Secretary General and to make every effort to conclude their negotiations in the coming weeks. Both leaders, and both communities, will have to decide on difficult compromises if a comprehensive settlement is to be reached on the basis of the Secretary General's revised proposals. The time available is now short, but a resolution which is to the overall benefit of all parties remains in sight.
If an agreement is supported by referendum on 30 March, it will be possible to take account of its provisions in the EU Treaty of Accession for Cyprus, and for a united Cyprus to join the European Union on 1 May 2004. This is the outcome I wish to see. The Copenhagen European Council in December 2003 expressed a strong preference for the accession of a united Cyprus. In the absence of a settlement, the application of the Union's laws and regulations to the northern part of the island will be suspended.
