Asked by: Adrian Bailey (Labour (Co-op) - West Bromwich West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what arrangements are in place for UK police forces to investigate criminal suspects in Northern Cyprus.
Answered by Mike Penning
The UK does not recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus." There are no arrangements in place for police forces in England and Wales to investigate criminal suspects in the northern part of Cyprus.
It would be inappropriate to comment on any matter relating to this case as this is the subject of ongoing UK-based court appeals.
Decisions to deploy police officers abroad to investigate criminal offences are operational matters for chief officers and the relevant authorities involved.
Asked by: Adrian Bailey (Labour (Co-op) - West Bromwich West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what airports police officers investigating the escape of John Anslow used on their (a) outward and (b) inward bound flights to Cyprus in 2013.
Answered by Mike Penning
The UK does not recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus." There are no arrangements in place for police forces in England and Wales to investigate criminal suspects in the northern part of Cyprus.
It would be inappropriate to comment on any matter relating to this case as this is the subject of ongoing UK-based court appeals.
Decisions to deploy police officers abroad to investigate criminal offences are operational matters for chief officers and the relevant authorities involved.
Asked by: Adrian Bailey (Labour (Co-op) - West Bromwich West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria must be met before a police officer is permitted to travel abroad to investigate people suspected of criminal offences in their force's area.
Answered by Mike Penning
The UK does not recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus." There are no arrangements in place for police forces in England and Wales to investigate criminal suspects in the northern part of Cyprus.
It would be inappropriate to comment on any matter relating to this case as this is the subject of ongoing UK-based court appeals.
Decisions to deploy police officers abroad to investigate criminal offences are operational matters for chief officers and the relevant authorities involved.
Asked by: Adrian Bailey (Labour (Co-op) - West Bromwich West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what dates officers in Staffordshire police force travelled to Northern Cyprus in connection with the investigation into John Anslow's escape from lawful custody; and which airport these officers flew (a) into and (b) out of on those visits.
Answered by Mike Penning
The UK does not recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus." There are no arrangements in place for police forces in England and Wales to investigate criminal suspects in the northern part of Cyprus.
It would be inappropriate to comment on any matter relating to this case as this is the subject of ongoing UK-based court appeals.
Decisions to deploy police officers abroad to investigate criminal offences are operational matters for chief officers and the relevant authorities involved.
Asked by: George Howarth (Labour - Knowsley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if in the Government's role as a guarantor of the 1960 Treaty in relation to Cyprus he will make representations to the UN facilitated process for a comprehensive settlement on the confiscation of property owned by Turkish Cypriots in Vasiliko in order to facilitate oil and gas exploitation in Northern and Southern Cyprus.
Answered by David Lidington
The UK strongly supports the UN-facilitated process for a comprehensive settlement, which remains the best way to address the complex issues relating to the division of Cyprus, including issues of property ownership and access. We have no current plans to make representations to the Government of the Republic of Cyprus on the issue of proposed developments in the Vasiliko area. The Treaty of Guarantee (1960) provides for the three Guarantor powers to consult in order to guarantee the independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Cyprus. The UK meets its current obligations under the Treaty through supporting the UN-facilitated settlement process, which is aimed at achieving a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as defined by the relevant Security Council resolutions.Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 24 October (HL2012), what is their assessment of the conduct over 40 years of the UN-led talks on the Cyprus problem that began in 1975; what impact they consider that the Greek<b>-</b>Cypriot rejection of the United Nation’s Annan Plan in 2004 has had on the right of Turkish-Cypriots to recognition; and on what grounds they still subscribe to an international embargo in respect of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Over the years, variable progress has been made to reach a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus. In 2004, the Government assessed that the Annan Plan represented the best available blueprint for settlement. Although the Greek Cypriots did not accept that plan, UN-led efforts continued. We support the current round of talks, which resumed in February on the basis of the Joint Declaration agreed by the two communities. A comprehensive settlement remains the best way to address the concerns of both communities, and for all Cypriots to enjoy the benefits of EU membership.
No country, except Turkey, recognises the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”. However, the UK strongly supports the ending of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community. We continue to work with European Commission to promote economic development and other opportunities for the Turkish Cypriots. We would also support measures to increase trading opportunities for the Turkish Cypriot community, including across the Green Line.
Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Warsi on 9 July (WA 44), whether their "policy on recognition" remains a negative one; and how such a policy contributes to "renewed efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement".
Answered by Baroness Warsi
The UK recognises the Republic of Cyprus. Like all other states, except Turkey, we do not recognise the self-proclaimed "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". It is for the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to reach an agreement on how to live together on their shared island. It is on that basis that the UN has supported the two communities in their negotiations since 1977. This approach is in line with our international commitments, and we will continue to support UN efforts to facilitate a comprehensive and lasting settlement.