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Cyprus: Politics and Government

Volume 487: debated on Monday 9 February 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to Turkey to reduce its troop numbers in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. (251414)

The Government have not recently raised the issue of the number of Turkish troops in northern Cyprus with Turkey. This is a central issue that will need to be addressed in the course of negotiations to achieve a comprehensive settlement. We would look to support any measure that helps build trust on the island. In this context, we welcomed both sides’ recent cancellation of military exercises as an important confidence building measure.