Cyprus

Baroness Hussein-Ece Excerpts

Thursday 2nd July 2015 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Courtown]

The noble Lord, Lord Hannay, with all his experience in this area, is absolutely right. We have a situation whereby two community leaders in Cyprus are willing to talk and try to reach a settlement. All the encouragement that we can give them to make that come to fruition has to be a good thing.

[Baroness Hussein-Ece (LD)]

My Lords, in April, the Turkish Cypriots demonstrated that they were willing to go ahead and that they want peace. They want change from 50 years of embargoes and isolation. The talks are very much to be welcomed. Will the Minister say whether the British Government, as a guarantor country, will now, in bringing forward some confidence-building measures, address the inequality in both communities? The economic situation in the north is quite dire. If there were to be a peace agreement later this year, there would be real problems in bringing equality to both communities. What will the Government do to lift some embargoes to allow some trade and economic prosperity for the north?

[The Earl of Courtown]

The noble Baroness poses a number of questions. Basically, we are prepared to consider options that would help to encourage progress in these talks.