Theresa Villiers MP asks FCDO about Varosi developments

We’re grateful to Theresa Villiers MP for asking the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs about the efforts that the UK Government is making to stop Turkey’s planned actions on Varosi. In her question, Ms Villiers emphasised the importance of the existing UN resolutions on Famagusta:

Wendy Morton MP, Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas
The UK strongly supports the numerous Security Council Resolutions covering the issue of Varosha, notably 550 (1984) and 789 (1992), and the 9 October UN Security Council Presidential Statement calling for Turkish actions to cease and be reversed.

We are monitoring the situation closely and are urging the sides to refrain from actions which could undermine the chances of a Settlement. Most recently, I reiterated this point in my conversation with Deputy Foreign Minister Faruk Kaymakci on 28 June during my visit to Turkey.

Ms Villiers has also recently asked the Foreign Secretary two other questions about the Cyprus issue.

Theresa Villiers MP, Chipping Barnet
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will have discussions with his Turkish counterpart on the importance of securing a negotiated settlement in Cyprus which is consistent with UN resolutions supporting a bizonal, bicommunal, federal state with a single sovereignty, a single international personality and a single citizenship.

Wendy Morton MP, Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas
The UK remains committed to supporting the UN process to reach a Cyprus Settlement. On 27-29 April, in support of the efforts led by the UN Secretary General to find common ground on a way forward to resolve the Cyprus Issue, the Foreign Secretary represented the UK as a Guarantor Power at informal UN talks in Geneva.

At the meeting, the Foreign Secretary continued to urge all sides to demonstrate flexibility and compromise to find a solution to the Cyprus Issue within the UN Security Council parameters of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation which we believe are broad enough to meet the objectives of all sides. Most recently, I reiterated the UK’s support for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue in my conversation with Deputy Foreign Minister Faruk Kaymakci on 28 June during my visit to Turkey.

Theresa Villiers MP, Chipping Barnet
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his counterpart in Turkey on the incursion into the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone by Turkish drilling ships.

Wendy Morton MP, Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas
The UK has consistently stated our support for the sovereign right of the Republic of Cyprus to exploit the oil and gas in its internationally agreed Exclusive Economic Zone. We continue to believe that any development of Cyprus’ oil and gas should be for the benefit of all Cypriots. We believe the most enduring way of resolving difficult issues such as this is to achieve a Cyprus settlement. We encourage all parties to redouble their efforts in pursuit of this.

We welcome Turkey’s withdrawal of survey vessels from waters around Cyprus and the Aegean in recent months as a significant contribution towards de-escalation of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. We urge all parties to support measures aimed at de-escalation and reducing tensions; and to resolve issues through dialogue. The UK will continue to work with all parties in support of this.