Madam, - Many were concerned that Greek Cyprus, having rejected the Annan Plan for a Cypriot settlement, was allowed to become a full member of the European Union on May 1st.
We feared that in such a privileged position it would exercise its veto to damage the interests of the Turkish Cypriots in Northern Cyprus.
The EU had promised that, if the Turkish Cypriots voted in support of the Annan Plan, their isolation would end.
Alas, the EU promises to the Turkish Cypriots have not materialised because the Greek Cypriots, as expected, exercised their opposition and their veto to the EU proposals for 1) trade between Northern Cyprus and the EU and 2) EU economic aid to Northern Cyprus.
In addition, direct flights from Europe to Northern Cyprus have not been supported.
The political impact of these adverse developments is that the present Turkish Cypriot government, which supported the Annan Plan, is losing electoral support as the public now see that the EU promise of an end to their isolation is not being honoured.
The Turkish Cypriot government resigned last week.
Regrettably, the Netherlands government, as president of the EU, has proved unhelpful in ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.
EU policy towards Cyprus over the past decade has made a bad situation worse.
And congratulations to The Irish Times on its reporting on Cyprus - the best in these islands. - Yours, etc.,
THE LORD KILCLOONEY OF ARMAGH, House of Lords, London.