Written Question
Monday 18th September 2023
Asked by:
Lord Sharkey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions on the intervention by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus in the construction of the road from Pile/Pyla to Yigitler/Arsos in Northern Cyprus they have had with (1) the United Nations, (2) the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, (3) the government of the Republic of Cyprus, (4) the government of Türkiye, and (5) the Turkish Cypriot authorities in Northern Cyprus; and what assessment they have made of this intervention.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK has engaged with all parties referenced about recent events in the UN Buffer Zone to encourage de-escalation and support a diplomatic resolution. This included Ministerial-level engagement with counterparts in the Republic of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey. On 21 August, the UN Security Council issued a Press Statement that condemned the assaults on UN Peacekeepers, expressed concern at the unauthorised construction of the road and reiterated Council support for the United Nations' Peacekeeping mandate. The UK, US and French Embassies in Nicosia issued a similar statement. We have welcomed the subsequent de-escalation, but note that the injuries sustained by three British UN peacekeepers undermines the UN's ability to fulfil its peacekeeping mandate. It is also a reminder that our armed forces regularly put themselves in harm's way to support peace and stability across the globe.
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 18 May 2022
Queen’s Speech
"Thank you. My Lords, for the next five minutes, I want to move the focus from eastern Europe—and the noble Viscount, Lord Trenchard —to the eastern Mediterranean and the divided island of Cyprus. I declare an interest as a vice-chair of the APPG for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
…..."Lord Sharkey - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 16 Oct 2017
Northern Cyprus
"To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the problems that will be faced by the people of Northern Cyprus in the event of the failure of reunification talks; and what plans they have to assist in resolving any such problems...."Lord Sharkey - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 16 Oct 2017
Northern Cyprus
"My Lords, I will speak for 10 minutes. I declare an interest as co-chair of the APPG for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The noble Lord, Lord Maginnis, has asked me to apologise for, and convey his regrets at, being unable to speak tonight as intended. His flight from …..."Lord Sharkey - View Speech
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Written Question
Monday 25th September 2017
Asked by:
Lord Sharkey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question
to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have held discussions with officials in Northern Cyprus concerning security arrangements at Ercan International Airport; if so, what were the (1) objectives, and (2) outcomes, of those discussions; and if they have not held such discussions, why not.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Government has not discussed security arrangements at Ercan with officials in the northern part of Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus has not designated Ercan as an airport under the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation. The Court of Appeal has ruled that direct flights from Ercan to the UK therefore cannot take place. Flights from Ercan to the UK land first in Turkey where passengers, their baggage, and any cargo are screened before the aircraft continues on to the UK.
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 22 Jun 2017
Queen’s Speech
"My Lords, I declare an interest as a co-chair of the APPG for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. I follow other noble Lords in welcoming the noble Lord, Lord Ahmad, to his new post.
In six days’ time, negotiations resume in Geneva on the reunification of Cyprus. Many observers …..."Lord Sharkey - View Speech
View all Lord Sharkey (LD - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Queen’s Speech
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 13 Jun 2016
Turkey
"
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the prospects for civil liberties and democratic governance in Turkey...."Lord Sharkey - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 13 Jun 2016
Turkey
"Turkey is a much-valued member of NATO and a much-valued ally of this country. It is vital to any solution to the crisis in the eastern Mediterranean. Will the Minister join me in condemning as shameless and irresponsible lies Vote Leave’s assertion that Turkey is joining the EU, and that …..."Lord Sharkey - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 09 Mar 2016
Turkey: Zaman Newspaper
"
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Government of Turkey about the seizure of the Zaman newspaper...."Lord Sharkey - View Speech
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 09 Mar 2016
Turkey: Zaman Newspaper
"I have been a committed friend of Turkey for 40 years or so, but I now see a country where journalists are imprisoned, the media are persecuted, the Constitutional Court’s rulings are openly criticised by the President, and the main opposition newspaper is seized. Dissent and disagreement are seen as …..."Lord Sharkey - View Speech
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