THE GREENS/EFA IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT-
Brussels, 25 April 2004

Greek Cypriots reject UN plan:Cyprus misses a window of opportunity

The Greens/EFA in the European Parliament today deplored the result of the referendum on the Annan plan in Cyprus with an overwhelming victory of the "no" in the Greek-Cypriot side and an encouraging "victory" of the "yes" in the Turkish-Cypriot part.
Reacting to the Greek Cypriots' overwhelming rejection of the UN plan to reunite the island Monica Frassoni and Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Co-Presidents of the Green/EFA group in the EP said:
"The rejection of the Annan plan for Cyprus is a setback for peace and co-existence, two fundamental EU values: The Greens/EFA strove for a reunited Cyprus joining the Union and we doubt that another occasion like this can happen in the near future. A window of opportunity was missed.
"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.
"I support the decision of the European Commission to go on with the economic package for Northern Cyprus - I call upon the Greek and the Cypriot government not to oppose such measures and to keep a constructive attitude in order to avoid a deep crisis in the EU.
"The European peace movement, unfortunately overlooked what was going on in Cyprus. From now on all efforts should be focused on bringing down the last divisive wall in Europe: it is not enough to oppose war, we must now build peace and the peace process in Cyprus must become a priority."