asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Malloch-Brown on 1 April (WA 147–8), whether the statement that a solution lies only in the context of a United Nations-brokered comprehensive settlement to reunite the island denoted their intention to sustain a Greek Cypriot veto and maintain the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community. [HL3046]

Our objective in Cyprus is to support the UN's efforts to broker a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. We applaud the leaders' recent agreement to restart negotiations and to open Ledra Steet. For the first time since 2004, there is a genuine prospect of progress. This must be the primary focus of our efforts. It is only through reunification of the island that the Turkish Cypriots can fully assume their rightful place in the economic and political life of Europe.

In support of the UN's efforts, the EU has an important supporting role to play, through reducing economic disparities between the two communities, and by bringing Turkish Cypriots closer to Europe. Achieving trade liberalisation with Turkish Cypriots is, in particular, an important part of these objectives. We will continue to support strongly all such initiatives.