Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what plans his Department has to encourage the full membership of (a) the Republic of Cyprus and (b) Northern Cyprus to the Convention on Cluster Munitions; and what plans his Department has to encourage the full membership of Northern Cyprus to the Ottawa Treaty.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
As a committed State Party to both the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) and Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), the UK urges all states to accede to both at the earliest opportunity, in line with respective obligations and provisions. We welcome Cyprus' existing status within the APMBC and encourage its future ratification of the CCM, recognising the unique security situation on the island. In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, how much the Department (a) has spent in the last ten years and (b) plans to spend in each of the next three years on de-mining efforts in (i) the Republic of Cyprus, (ii) the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, (iii) the UN-administered buffer zone and (iv) in and around the sovereign base areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The UK is unequivocal in its support for a mine-free Cyprus. The UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) works to create options for the sides to progress with the next phase of clearing hazardous areas across the island. Last year we contributed over £1.3 million to UNFICYP and we are consistently a leading contributor of personnel. In January, as penholder we drafted UNSCR 2723 which urged both leaders to overcome existing barriers and expedite demining progress in Cyprus.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, how many officials in his Department are stationed in Northern Cyprus as of 20 May 2024.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. The FCDO does not have personnel permanently based in the north of Cyprus.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, if he will make representations to his Greek counterpart on the removal of military personnel from Southern Cyprus.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
We do not routinely comment on the activities of non-UK personnel. The UK actively supports peace and stability in Cyprus as a leading troop contributor to UNFICYP and through our support for the UN-led settlement process.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2023 to Question 3452 on Cyprus: Land Mines, what progress the Government has made on encouraging the Greek Cypriot administration to join efforts to de-mine the island of Cyprus.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The UK is unequivocal in its support for a mine-free Cyprus. As UN Security Council penholder on Cyprus and a leading troop contributor to United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), we led the drafting of UN Security Council Resolution 2723 in January to renew UNFICYP's mandate and welcomed its unanimous adoption. The resolution included language urging both leaders to overcome existing barriers and expedite demining progress in Cyprus. We engage all sides to encourage the flexibility needed to make progress on tangible cooperation now, and ultimately to reach a just and lasting Cyprus settlement.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what his Department's advice is on direct air travel to (a) Kosovo, (b) Taiwan, (c) Northern Cyprus and (d) other non-UN member states.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The FCDO publishes travel advice which provides guidance on the most relevant issues for British nationals visiting Kosovo, Taiwan and Cyprus, including the north of Cyprus. There are direct flights between the UK and Kosovo, and the UK and Taiwan. Under the Chicago Convention, direct flights are not permitted between the UK and the north of Cyprus. To allow otherwise would be counter to the UK's international obligations. The situations in Kosovo, Taiwan and Cyprus are different and require different approaches.
Asked by: Baroness Mobarik (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any information on the number of UK merchant ships that docked at (1) Gazimağusa, and (2) Berbera, seaports in each year since 2010; and why their policies towards both unrecognised countries differ in terms of their international investment.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
No UK flagged vessels have docked at Famagusta (Gazimagusa) since 2018. One vessel docked five times at Berbera over the same period. We do not hold data before 2018. The situations in the north of Cyprus and Somaliland are different and require different approaches. The UK supports measures to promote economic development in both, whilst respecting UN Security Council Resolutions that limit links between the UK and the north of Cyprus.
Asked by: Baroness Mobarik (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the comments made in 2004 by the then Prime Minister on the need to “end the isolation of northern Cyprus”; and what progress they have made towards lifting sanctions on trade and travel to that region.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. Several UN Security Council Resolutions also limit links between UK and the north of Cyprus. Within these constraints we support measures to reduce the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and regularly engage the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce on this issue. We continue to support a just and lasting Cyprus Settlement as the best means of resolving the difficulties caused by the division of the island.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects the temporary pier in Gaza to be operational; and whether UK troops will have a role in protecting it.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
In the continued effort to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza a temporary pier is being constructed off the coast to enable delivery as quickly and securely as possible; the US Department of Defense aim to have the pier operational in May 2024. That work is ongoing with the US, Cyprus and other partners. RFA Cardigan Bay has been deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean to provide support to the US personnel working to establish the pier. As of 2 May, UK personnel will not be undertaking roles protecting the pier.
Asked by: Baroness Mobarik (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the British High Commissioner to Cyprus has visited the Muratağa, Sandallar and Atlilar memorial in Northern Cyprus; and, if not, what plans they have to visit.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We recognise that the events of 1974 and the preceding period continue to cast a long shadow over Cyprus. We regularly engage with Cypriot civil society organisations to appropriately remember those who lost their lives, families and loved ones during the period. The UK continues to support the Committee for Missing Persons by providing financial support, including for DNA testing.