Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP meets Turkish Cypriot leader Ferdi Soyer

3.50.58pm GMT Tue 15th Nov 2005

Sarah Ludford MEP with Ferdi Soyer

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford met with Turkish Cypriot leader Ferdi Soyer last Friday during his visit to London, and also went on to the meeting he addressed at the London School of Economics Turkish Society.

Baroness Ludford presented Mr Soyer with a copy of the catalogue from the "Turks" historical exhibition held in London earlier this year, while she was delighted to receive from him the gift of a beautiful piece of Cypriot embroidery.

Sarah Ludford continues to campaign forcefully for the fulfilment of the EU promise made 18 months ago, in the aftermath of the positive Turkish Cypriot vote on the Annan plan, for the ending of the isolation of North Cyprus. She has pressed repeatedly in the European Parliament for the approval by EU governments of European Commission proposals for financial aid and direct trade.

Sarah has now written to the UK's Europe Minister Douglas Alexander MP, asking him what is happening about direct flights from the UK to North Cyprus and about prospects for easing visa requirements on Turkish Cypriots. She said:

"The continued trade and physical isolation of Turkish Cypriots is a breach of promise, which Brussels should be ashamed of. I recognise the effort the UK government has put in to try to secure the required unanimity among EU governments. But I urge it to create some movement by acting alone, as it can do, to licence flights by British operators to Ercan airport. It has been talking about this long enough."

"I also want to explore whether the British government sees potential for a waiver or at least easing of visa requirements. I realise that this may depend on reassurance from the Turkish Cypriot side about security and good management of passports, but I want to encourage a positive dialogue with the goal of liberalisation."

Notes

- On 20th July 2004 previous Foreign Office minister Baroness Symons told the House of Lords that the Government believes "that direct trade and transport links between Northern Cyprus and the EU are central to bringing an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots." She claimed "We are currently examining the feasibility of direct flights."

- For full details of Sarah Ludford's most recent contribution about North Cyprus in the European Parliament, please go to: http://www.sarahludfordmep.org.uk/speeches/91.html