British Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Lord Howell of Guildford, has expressed conviction that the Republic of Cyprus will carry out its responsibilities during its presidency of the Council of the EU as defined by the Treaty on EU.
Replying to questions at the House of Lords as regards the assumption of the presidency of the Council of the EU by Cyprus during the second half of 2012, he said that ''we are confident that the Republic of Cyprus will carry out its presidency responsibilities as defined by the Treaty on European Union''.
''It is for the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to set the objectives for its presidency of the European Union from July to December 2012'', he added.
Lord Howell also expressed hope that ''there will be decisive progress in the coming months towards a settlement'' of the Cyprus problem.
Referring to the next meeting between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus with the UN Secretary General in January in New York, he said that ''we all hope for further progress''.
He added that at their latest meeting, in October in New York, ''the stance was not totally negative but there was not much progress, and we hope that they will do better this time''.
Lord Howell further noted that ''the gains for all sides from a successful advance in the UN process are so enormous that one longs to see it move forward, but so far, I am afraid, we have been disappointed''.
Taking the floor, Lord Hannay of Chiswick asked whether the Minister agrees ''that it would be rather useful if the Governments of both Cyprus and Turkey reconsidered their attitude towards each other''.
As he said, ''the petulance with which the Government of Turkey are approaching the Cyprus presidency would seem to be barely fitting for a rising nation of great importance to us. As for the Government of Cyprus, their blocking Turkey joining the EU to work on measures against Syria and their blocking of many of the chapters of Turkey's accession is entirely counterproductive for their own interests''.
Lord Howell replied that Lord Hannay is right and explained: ''the compromise that will emerge from the end of Cyprus's tribulations can be achieved only if there is a more giving and revised attitude on both sides''.
''Very hard lines have been taken up. There has to be compromise, there has to be movement, there has to be some revision of views between the two sides. Then we will make progress. What the noble Lord says must be right, and we have to work for it'', he pointed out.
Replying to a question about the presence of British Sovereign Bases in Cyprus, Lord Howell said that ''in the event of a settlement and the unity of Cyprus, 50 per cent of the sovereign base area would be part of the settlement and would be available to help it''.
''Generally, the commitment is as firm as it has always been that the sovereign bases are important and will remain'', he concluded.
Britain has retained two military bases in Cyprus, after the island gained its independence in 1960, following a four-year anti-colonial struggle in the mid-50s.
Cyprus, which has been divided since the Turkish invasion in 1974, will assume the six monthly rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in July 2012.
UN – led Cyprus talks are underway with the participation of the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus with an aim to reach a solution that would reunify the island under a federal roof.
