Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposal by the UN Secretary General to expand negotiations relating to the future of Cyprus to include the government of (1) Greece, (2) Turkey, (3) the Republic of Cyprus, and (4) the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, alongside the UK and UN; whether they support such a proposal; if not, why not; and what discussions they have had with the government of (1) Greece, and (2) Turkey, about participating in such negotiations.

The UK remains a strong supporter of a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue, based on the internationally accepted model of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation as set out in relevant Security Council Resolutions. To that end, we welcome the UN Secretary General's ongoing commitment to work with the parties to conduct in-depth consultations and we look forward to the possibility of an informal meeting hosted by the UN which includes the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, and the Guarantor Powers, Greece, Turkey and the UK.

We are engaging all parties regularly. The Foreign Secretary met with Greek Foreign Minister Dendias on 2 February, spoke to Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu on 3 February, and travelled to Cyprus on 4 February, to urge all sides to engage constructively ahead of the talks and to demonstrate flexibility in their approach so the Settlement process can progress.