Asked by: Lord Rogan (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether it is their policy to reinitiate talks between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to reunite the island; and, if so, how the Prime Minister’s decision to meet the President of the Republic of Cyprus but reportedly not the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus during his visit to the region on 9–10 December supports this objective.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK, as a Guarantor Power and a friend to all parties, will continue to support UN efforts to create an enduring settlement on the Cyprus issue. The Prime Minister met President Christodoulides to discuss a wide range of issues across our bilateral relationship. During the Prime Minister's visit, senior officials met Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot negotiators to encourage both sides to engage constructively with the UN-led process on Settlement. We do not recognise the so-called "TRNC" but will continue to work with all Cypriots including Turkish Cypriots and their representatives as part of the UN process.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has plans to meet with his counterpart from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK's long-standing position is not to recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. This is in accordance with several UN Security Council Resolutions and in line with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey. While there are currently no plans for the Foreign Secretary to meet Mr Ertuğruloğlu, we continue to work with the UN towards a lasting Cyprus Settlement.
Asked by: Baroness Mobarik (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to facilitate UK businesses seeking to operate in Northern Cyprus.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (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. Trade between the UK and the north of Cyprus, including our ability to facilitate UK businesses seeking to operate in the north of Cyprus, is limited by Security Council Resolutions and international court rulings. However, we recognise that the status quo in Cyprus causes serious difficulties for Turkish Cypriots. We regularly engage the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce to discuss how we can deepen trade links within the relevant parameters.
Asked by: Baroness Mobarik (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 27 February (HL5034), what specific steps are they taking to work with the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce to deepen trade links with Northern Cyprus.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (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. We regularly engage the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce to discuss how we can deepen trade links between the UK and the north of Cyprus within the parameters of international law. The UK urges both sides to strengthen efforts to remove obstacles to intra-island trade. Ultimately, we continue to believe that a just and lasting settlement is the best means of resolving the serious challenges for all Cypriots caused by the division of the island. The Minister for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories discussed these matters during his recent visit to Cyprus on 7 March.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has reviewed policy on recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus since 2020.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK's long-standing position is not to recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. This is in accordance with several UN Security Council Resolutions and in line with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey. As a Guarantor Power and a friend to all parties, we will continue to support the efforts of the UN and all Cypriot communities towards a just and lasting settlement.
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 potential measures to facilitate trade between the UK and Northern Cyprus.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (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 United Nations Security Council Resolutions and international court rulings limit links between the UK and the north. Nevertheless, we are committed to alleviating the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots within these constraints. We regularly engage the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce to discuss how we can deepen trade links within the relevant parameters.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of impact of (a) indirect flights via Turkey and (b) other travel restrictions on UK nationals travelling to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We recognise that the status quo in Cyprus creates serious challenges for the Turkish Cypriot community, including in relation to international travel. The Government believes a just and lasting settlement is the best way of resolving these challenges and improving the lives of all Cypriots. On 18 March, I attended talks in Geneva brokered by the UN Secretary General where I encouraged all sides to engage constructively towards a Cyprus Settlement.
Asked by: Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to enhance academic partnerships between UK universities and higher education institutions in Northern Cyprus.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
The UK supports all Cypriot students, including those in the North, to access UK higher education networks and institutes. In line 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 limit links between UK and the north of Cyprus.
Jan. 22 2008
Source Page: Table showing pass rates of candidates for the Knowledge of Life (KOL) test for UK citizenship between November 2005 and 31st October 2007, broken down by nationality of candidate.Found: Republic of North Cyprus)74.049.0123.039.83739837398374Czech Republic37.0163.0200.081.5Democratic People's
Mentions:
1: Luke Evans (Con - Hinckley and Bosworth) On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. - Speech Link
2: Sammy Wilson (DUP - East Antrim) On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. - Speech Link
3: Nusrat Ghani (Con - Sussex Weald) Member for his point of order. There will be no further points of order on that issue. - Speech Link
4: Nusrat Ghani (Con - Sussex Weald) Member for giving us notice of his point of order. - Speech Link