Cyprus' Two Sides Agree to Take UN Plan as Negotiation Basis

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, November 26, 2002

Cyprus' Two Sides Agree to Take UN Plan as Negotiation Basis

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Cyprus' ruling Democratic Rally party (DISY) and the Republic Turkish Party (RTP) of the Turkish Cypriots agreed on Monday that the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan for Cyprus solution can constitute a basis for negotiations between the two sides on the island.

The agreement was reached during a meeting held in the day between DISY leader Nicos Anastasiades and RPT leader Mehmet Ali Talat in the Greek Cypriots-controlled area of Nicosia, the Cyprus News Agency reported.

Speaking after the meeting, Talat said he believes it would be worthwhile to accept the plan as a basis for negotiations and end the Cyprus problem before Dec. 12 European Union (EU) summit, whichis expected to invite Cyprus to join the bloc.

"We should do our best to start negotiations on the basis of Annan's plan and resolve our problem once and for all," he said.

Talat also expressed the concern on the territorial provisions of the plan, because "it is quite clear that at least some people are going to be dislocated with the implementation of the solution of this plan and those people will be disturbed in the end."

On his part, Anastasiades said they agreed that a Cyprus solution should not create intense feelings of injustice against either community.

He believes that the two sides of the island can overcome problems and achieve a solution.

Cyprus has been divided into the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities since 1974. Annan submitted on Nov. 11 a draft plan to the two sides for a comprehensive settlement of the decades-long Cyprus issue.

The Greek Cypriot side replied on Nov. 18 to the UN plan within the requested time frame.

However, the Turkish Cypriot side failed to meet the deadline asTurkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash remains in hospital in New York since Oct. 7 following an open-heart surgery.

Meanwhile, the Synod of the Church of Cyprus insisted on Monday that it rejects the Annan plan. The stance was repeated after the Synod members were informed of the provisions of the Annan blueprint.

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