Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 February 2014
11. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has noted the resumption of reunification talks in Cyprus; if he supports the resumption of these talks; and if he has discussed this issues with his Cypriot counterpart. [8111/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI very much welcome the agreement announced on 11 February 2014 by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders on the resumption of settlement talks.
I believe that the Joint Declaration agreed by the two leaders lays a solid foundation for the re-launch of negotiations for a fair and viable comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
Neither I nor the Tánaiste have had the opportunity to discuss these latest developments with our Cypriot opposite numbers, but I would like to welcome the political leadership shown by those involved in the process thus far.
I would urge those involved, having agreed the principles on which the negotiations will be based, to engage fully in the talks and to work in a spirit of good faith, under the auspices of the United Nations. I welcome the stated determination of both sides to conduct the negotiations in a results-oriented manner.
I fully support their aim to find a solution that provides for a comprehensive settlement based on a bicommuncal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Ireland remains fully supportive of the efforts underway to resolve this long-standing problem. As the leaders themselves acknowledge, a successful resolution of the Cyprus question would have a positive impact on the whole region. Most significantly, however, it would benefit both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.
