To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made in Turkey’s EU accession process; and what his latest assessment is of the effects of such accession on Cyprus. [R] (312838)

The European Commission’s Turkey 2009 Progress Report, released in October 2009, recognised genuine Turkish progress, for instance in addressing the Kurdish issue and improving energy security, but noted that renewed efforts on further reform were needed. Turkey recently opened Chapter 27—Environment at the Accession Conference in December last year. The Government believe that Turkish accession to the EU would have positive benefits for a re-unified Cyprus and enhance regional security and stability. The Government welcome Turkish Minister Egemen Bagis’s public commitment to a Cyprus settlement based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, composed of two constituent states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the outcome of the case of Apostolides v. Orams on progress towards a settlement in Cyprus. (313036)

The Government recognise the importance of this verdict, which is a legal rather than a political decision. Ultimately the sensitive issue of property can only be entirely solved by a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. We continue to support fully the two leaders in their attempts to achieve this.