Visit Of Morphou Councillors

EDM number 1337 in 1993-94, proposed by Alan Meale on 16/06/1994.

That this House welcomes to the United Kingdom the Mayor of Morphou and his delegation of councillors from the Morphou area who represent over 60,000 people who, 20 years ago, were made refugees in their own country; recognises, with regret, the fact that this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus by Turkish forces since when 37 per cent. of the island has been under Turkish occupation; strongly condemns the continuing indiscriminate desecration and destruction of Greek Cypriot objects, sites and structures of cultural and religious heritage as confirmed in the Turkish Cypriot KIBRIS newspaper, 1st May 1994, in a report which also revealed the recent plundering of the 13th Century St Mamas Church in Morphou and the looting of the historic icon therein; condemns the intransigence of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, and the lack of political will by Turkey which has resulted in the current impasse in the Secretary-General's attempts to promote a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem; urges engagement in negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations in the substance of the problem discussed with the view to finding a viable and permanent settlement that will see all Cypriots granted the freedom of movement and the right to settle, live and work wherever they may so wish and will allow the displaced people of Morphou, Famagusta and all other occupied areas free to return to the homes and property that is legally and rightfully theirs; and advocates the acceptance of Cyprus as a full member of the European Union, a step which would accelerate a solution to the Cyprus problem and effectively guarantee the security of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots and will ensure the prospects of progress and prosperity of all the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.

This motion has been signed by a total of 51 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.