VILLIERS CALLS ON BROWN AND MERKEL TO USE BERLIN WALL CELEBRATIONS TO PUSH FOR AN END TO THE DIVISION OF CYPRUS

Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, has written to Gordon Brown and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, urging them to use the celebrations taking place on 9th November to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall as an opportunity to push Cyprus up the international community's agenda and to send a strong signal to the Turkish Government that it is time to reunite the island.

The text of the letters is as follows:-

Dear Prime Minister

I understand that on 9^th November you will be attending various events to mark the twentieth anniversary of the day the Berlin Wall came down. When you meet world leaders to commemorate this momentous event, I hope that you will give some thought to Europe’s last divided capital.

As you will be aware, Cyprus and its capital, Nicosia, have been divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974, when thousands of Cypriots were forced to flee from their homes and have never since been able to reclaim them. This division has persisted for 35 years, despite Cyprus’ recent accession to the EU.

I would urge you to seize the opportunity presented by the celebration of the end of Germany’s painful partition to highlight the importance to healing the wound that has left Cyprus divided for over 35 years.

It is time for the international community to push Cyprus much higher up its list of priorities. As a Guarantor Power and a fellow commonwealth member, the UK Government has an important role to play in facilitating and supporting Cypriots in their search for a settlement.

I would appeal to you to bring your influence to bear on the Turkish Government to persuade them to comply with their obligations under the Ankara Protocol (as a candidate country to the EU), with UN resolutions on Cyprus and with the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. I also hope that you will urge them to press forward with the demilitarisation of Cyprus which is so vital if Cypriots are to have the freedom to make their own choices about the future of their own country and if they are to live together peacefully again.

The Wall severed Berlin for 28 years (between 1961 and 1989) – 7 years less than the period during which Green Line has divided Cyprus. Next week’s celebrations give the leaders of Europe the chance to send a strong signal to the Turkish Government that it is time to solve the Cyprus problem once and for all so that Cypriots can succeed in achieving a just, lasting and peaceful settlement to reunite the island. I hope you will not let this valuable opportunity slip through your fingers.

Regards,

Theresa Villiers MP

 

Dear Chancellor Merkel

My I offer my congratulations on the 20^th anniversary of the day the Berlin Wall came down? When you welcome world leaders to commemorate this momentous event, I hope that you will give some thought to Europe’s last divided capital.

As you will be aware, Cyprus and its capital, Nicosia, have been divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974, when thousands of Cypriots were forced to flee from their homes and have never since been able to reclaim them. This division has persisted for 35 years, despite Cyprus’ recent accession to the EU.

I would urge you to seize the opportunity presented by the celebration of the end of Germany’s painful partition to highlight the importance to healing the wound that has left Cyprus divided for over 35 years.

I believe that it is time for the international community to push Cyprus much higher up its list of priorities.

I would appeal to you to bring your influence to bear on the Turkish Government to persuade them to comply with their obligations under the Ankara Protocol (as a candidate country to the EU), with UN resolutions on Cyprus and with the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. I also hope that you will urge them to press forward with the demilitarisation of Cyprus which is so vital if Cypriots are to have the freedom to make their own choices about the future of their own country and if they are to live together peacefully again.

The Wall severed Berlin for 28 years (between 1961 and 1989) – 7 years less than the period during which Green Line has divided Cyprus. Next week’s celebrations give the leaders of Europe the chance to send a strong signal to the Turkish Government that it is time to solve the Cyprus problem once and for all so that Cypriots can succeed in achieving a just, lasting and peaceful settlement to reunite the island. I hope you will not let this valuable opportunity slip through your fingers.

Regards,

Theresa Villiers MP