Opinions of experts and commentators on the Annan Plan for Cyprus

Against the plan

"It appeared that the UN and the EU were bent on legitimising at least some of the consequences of the Turkish invasion of 1974, because the EU wanted to take the Cyprus issue off the table in order to facilitate negotiations on Turkey's accession to the EU... Greek Cypriots would not have freedom of movement in their own country. In a way, the Greek Cypriots would have been ghettoised."

Shlomo Avineri, Professor at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem and former Director-General of Israel's foreign ministry.

"... had he [Annan] been more closely involved in the details, [he] would not have wished his name to be historically associated with such departures from international law and human rights standards. ...a significant opportunity to reach an agreed settlement was lost as a result of the conduct of the UN Secretariat, advised by the USA and the UK.... The Secretariat sought to mislead the international community through the Secretary-General's Reports and briefings it prepared, so as to pressure a small state effectively to accept the consequences of aggression by a large neighbouring state allied to two permanent members of the Security Council." Claire Palley, Constitutional Law adviser to Cypriot governments since 1980, in 'An International Relations Debacle', 2005

For the plan

"I feel let down and betrayed by the Greek Cypriot leadership."

Kofi Annan UN 2004

"What happened in Cyprus with the Annan plan in reality has nothing to do with the Turkish Cypriots, but the main issue was Turkey's accession into the European Union and the pseudo-state was used as pawn."

Eser Karakas, Professor at the Bahcesehir University in Turkey, as quoted in Haravgi (Greek Cypriot) newspaper, 27 October 2004

"If the Greek-Cypriots say 'no' to the Annan plan, we will take them to a new referendum, until they say yes."

Lord Hanney, the British architect of the Annan plan

"Pretending that a plan better conceived, more functional, or otherwise more favourable to the Greek Cypriot position could be offered any time soon is quite misleading. Protestations to that effect have only the generic purpose of leaving room for hope and goodwill that could come to fruition under favourably evolving circumstances. The future of peaceful accommodation in the region depends on constructive relations between Turkey and the European Union and on continued prudence in the bilateral relations between Greece and Turkey."

"The Secretary-General applauds the Turkish Cypriots, who approved the plan notwithstanding the significant sacrifices that it entailed for many of them. He regrets that the Turkish Cypriots will not equally enjoy the benefits of EU membership as of 1 May 2004, but he hopes that ways will be found to ease the plight in which the people find themselves through no fault of their own."

UN Secretary-General's statement as read by his Special Advisor on Cyprus, Álvaro de Soto 2004

"I deeply regret the outcome of the referendum among the Greek Cypriot community in Cyprus, rejecting the Annan Plan. The enlargement of the European Union on 1 May offers a dramatic change of context, and it is regrettable that the referendum did not produce a change of heart, despite the fact that the problem is not what it was thirty years ago. At the same time, I warmly welcome the strong endorsement of the Annan Plan by Turkish Cypriots."

President of the European Parliament Pat Cox 2004

"The European Commission deeply regrets that the Greek Cypriot community did not approve the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. The European Commission would like to warmly congratulate Turkish Cypriots for their 'Yes' vote."

European Commission's press release of 24 April 2004

"We are disappointed that a majority of Greek Cypriots voted against the settlement plan. Failure of the referenda in the Greek Cypriot community is a setback to the hopes of those on the island who voted for the settlement and to the international community."

Spokesman of the US State Department Richard Boucher in 2004

"The German Government regrets that a "yes" vote was only achieved in the northern part of the island in today's referenda in Cyprus. It is disappointing that the citizens in the south of the island did not seize the great opportunity for reunification which the Annan Plan offered. Unfortunately, a reunited Cyprus will not now be joining the European Union on 1 May."

German Foreign Minister Joseph Fischer's statement of 24 April 2004 (unofficial translation)

"I deeply regretted that Greek Cypriots have missed the opportunity to solve the problem that has been with them for too many years, and that the Turkish Cypriots have made in contrast a courageous choice by voting 'yes'."

EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana's statement of 25 April 2004 (unofficial translation)

"I am confident that the international community will now ensure that Turkish Cypriots will not suffer unduly from the rejection of the UN Plan, contrary to their wishes."

Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer 2004

"France hopes that the Commission, in accordance with the conclusions of the Copenhagen European Council of December 2002, proposes that proper measures be taken to promote the economic development of the northern part of the island and bring it closer to the Union."

French Foreign Ministry's statement of 25 April 2004

"Bangladesh expresses its deep disappointment at the rejection of the UN Plan for the reunification of Cyprus, by one community in Cyprus.... Bangladesh believes that those who voted for the UN plan in Cyprus should now be given the opportunity to restore immediately their economic and trade activities internationally without any restriction." Bangladesh Foreign Ministry's Press Release of 25 April 2004

"We think that a Greek Cypriot vote against the settlement means that a unique and historic opportunity was lost. We believe the settlement was fair. It has been accepted by the Turkish Cypriot side. There will not be a better settlement. There is no other deal. There is no better deal available. And we hope that the Greek Cypriots will come to comprehend this in due time.

We have nothing but praise for the courageous Turkish Cypriots who voted for this settlement.... There's not a new negotiation plan, there's not a renegotiation plan. This is the deal.

We do think that there was a lot of manipulation by the Greek Cypriot leaders in the run-up to the election; that the outcome was regrettable but not surprising, given those actions. I think the Europeans as well have made clear --statements by External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten, European Parliamentary President Pat Cox, Enlargement Commissioner Verheugen--that they have strong concerns in that regard as well."

US Secretary of State Colin Powell 2004

"On 1st May 2004, Cyprus will become EU member. The Turkish inhabitants of Cyprus have expressed in the referendum their will for the unification of Cyprus. They should not become hostages of the situation they will face after 1st May resulting from the refusal of the Annan plan in the south part of the island. The Czech MFA believes that the EU and the international community will find a way to help the north part of Cyprus to overcome economic and social consequences of the decades of international isolation."

Statement by the Czech Foreign Ministry, 24 April 2004

"We appreciate the initiative of Prime Minister Erdoğan and of the Turkish Government in order to re-unite Cyprus. Now, the EU must evaluate how it can contribute and facilitate the trade in the island and the border crossings between the two parts."

Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson, 2004

"The Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner expressed her regret at the negative outcome of the referendum on the Greek side of Cyprus.

The fact that the referendum resulted in a positive vote on the Turkish side of Cyprus should be appropriately honored by the international community." Austrian Foreign Minister Ferrero-Waldner 2004

"What we will seriously consider now is finding a way to end the economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriots."

EU Enlargement Commissioner, Álvaro de Sto, 2004

"The EU is to deliberate on the question of „how we are now to deal with Southern Cyprus“. „We cannot pretend as if nothing happened“, the Greek authorities are to blame as a result of the one-sided portrayal of matters, as a result of which those in favor of a reunion did not stand much of a chance in the referendum of Saturday."

State Secretary (responsible for EU affairs) of Netherlands Atzo Nicolai's press statement of 26 April 2004

"The European Commission deeply regrets the negative outcome of the referendum among the Greek Cypriot community. A unique opportunity has been missed. The Commission warmly congratulates the Turkish Cypriots for their "Yes" vote…The Annan Plan is null and void now.

Turkish Cypriots must not be punished because of this result. The Regulation to be issued by the Commission will serve this aim.

About trade, now we have to end the isolation of the North. The Commission is ready to take various measures for that aim. Turkish Cypriots have showed a positive will. Therefore, they must not be punished if they are ready to cooperate with us. We believe that indeed a unique opportunity has been missed. A divided Island is going to be EU member.

The Green Line has become de facto external border of the EU."

EU Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen, 26 April 2004

"The Turkish Cypriot community have expressed their clear desire for a future within the EU. The Council is determined to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot Community."

European Council of Foreign Ministers' Conclusion Statement of 26 April 2004

"I was hugely disappointed by the 'no' vote in the Republic in Saturday's referendum, and felt greatly let down by the unhelpful approach of the Government and other political parties in the south. Given Turkish Cypriots overwhelming support for the UN plan, it is essential that the European Union recognizes their endorsement by building a strong relationship with northern Cyprus. With this in mind, I welcome the Commission's proposals for a financial aid package to the north, for easing travel restrictions at the 'Green Line' and for the opening of a Commission office in northern Cyprus.

"We must also ensure, however, that all vestiges of the unfair embargo are rapidly removed and it is high time that holidaymakers from EU Member States were allowed to fly directly to Ercan this summer."

The statement of Geoffrey Van Orden, MEP, Conservative Spokesman on Defence and Security Policy and Human Rights in the European Parliament, 27 April 2004

"EU Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen has called for opening of a European Commission office in the Turkish part of Cyprus to monitor the flow of community funds for the development of the northern part the island." EU Enlargement Commissioner Verheugen's press statement of 27 April 2004

"On 7 April, Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos, the Greek Cypriot leader, in an address to the nation, called on Greek Cypriots to reject the Secretary-General's plan--indeed, to 'send a resounding no' to the Annan Plan.... The vote by the Greek Cypriots to reject my proposals last Saturday was of course a great disappointment.... I salute the Turkish Cypriots for their courageous vote in favour of the proposals. We must all do our best to see that they are not penalized for the way the vote went in the other part of the island"

UN Under-Secretary-General Kieran Prendergast's briefing to the UN Security Council on 28 April 2004

"We join the Secretary General in regretting the outcome of the Greek Cypriot referendum on April 24.The Secretary General's plan is a fair, viable, and carefully balanced compromise that conforms with the long-agreed to parameters of a settlement and with the Security Council's vision for a settlement."

Security Council Statement on Cyprus 28 April 2004

"The Assembly therefore welcomes the support expressed by several European political leaders for financial assistance for the Turkish Cypriots and an easing of the international sanctions against them. The United Nations should also consider whether the resolutions on which the sanctions are based are still justified."

European Union Parliamentary Assembly Resolution no. 1376 (2004)

"We will now need to look for ways and means to make sure that the Turkish Cypriots do not remain isolated and avoid that they suffer unduly from the rejection of the UN Plan which they supported by a large majority."

President of the Council of Europe, Committee of Ministers and Foreign Minister of Netherlands Bernard Bot 2004

"It's not enough to give Northern Cyprus some charitable contribution.

Turkish Cypriots must be rewarded for their clear will to invest in peace; their international isolation must be ended. EU member states should take the lead at the UN Security Council to lift the embargoes and establish regular transport communications with Northern Cyprus as well as trade and economic relations."

Press statement of Monica Frassoni, member of the European Parliament and the Co-President of the Greens Group (Belgium), Strasbourg, 4 May 2004

"The UN plan received overwhelming support in Northern Cyprus, but through the actions of others, the Turkish Cypriots are now left in a state of limbo beyond their control. The Announcement by the Council and Commission of an initial package of measures for the North will help to alleviate this situation.

One particular measure that has not so far been included but which would have enormous economic impact would be the opening of Ercan airport to international traffic."

Member of the European Parlamet (UK) Van Order 4 May 2004

"It is our duty to put an end to the isolation of Turkish Cypriots."

Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) Mr. Belkeziz 2004

"We must now act to end the isolation of northern Cyprus…It means lifting sanctions on trade and travel. It also means ensuring that EU funds currently available for dispersal are actually dispersed."

Press statement of the British Prime Minister Tony Blair 2004

"The UK Government believes steps should be taken as quickly as possible to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots."

Deputy Foreign Minister of UK Baroness Symons 2004

"The Turkish Cypriots can reasonably ask that they should not be the victims of this setback; and yet it is they who are left in limbo outside the European Union. But what is now needed, surely, is to remove all discrimination against people who are, after all, citizens of the European Union and to prepare the Turkish Cypriots and their legislation and administrative practices for eventual European membership."

Speech of UK Special Representative for Cyprus Lord Hannay 2004

"We have certainly been looking at steps to ease the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot side. Our ambassador in Cyprus last week announced a step with regard to extending the validity of visas for Turkish Cypriots that makes it easier for them to travel, particularly for the students who might come to the United States. So that's one thing that we've announced already. We'll be looking at other steps that we can take and making those known at the appropriate time." US State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher 2004

"I believe that it was a great shame that the Greek Cypriots voted no, and that it was a mistake to reject the Annan plan. We strongly believe that the Turkish Cypriots, who voted for a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem, should not be penalized because the Greek Cypriots rejected the UN settlement plans. Turkish Cypriots demonstrated their desire to be in the EU, as part of a united island.... The clear majority vote by the Turkish Cypriot community at the referendum on 24 April to accept the UN Secretary General's plan for a settlement of the Cyprus problem has not gone unnoticed. The Government of UK believes steps should be taken as quickly as possible to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots." Speech of UK Minister for European Affairs MacShane 2004