Sign in Subscribe
United Nations

EU Criticizes Greek Cypriots after Rejection of Reunification Plan

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The European Union has faced a significant setback with the Greek Cypriots resoundingly rejecting a plan to reunify the island, leaving the Turkish Cypriots who strongly supported the plan reeling. The rejection has major implications for the island's future, including the potential for Cyprus to join the EU as the only country with a UN peacekeeping force patrolling its interior. The opposing sides of the island voted separately, with 65% of Turkish Cypriots approving the settlement, but 75% of Greek Cypriots rejecting it. The EU has expressed disappointment and criticism of the Greek Cypriot leaders for "cheating" their way into the EU and then opposing the settlement. The Turkish government, on the other hand, has celebrated the outcome as a diplomatic triumph.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Greek Cypriots rejected the United Nations peace plan, despite it offering 120,000 people the right to return to their homes and compensation for all other refugees.
  • The plan was rejected by 75% of Greek Cypriots, but approved by 65% of Turkish Cypriots, who had been under international isolation and have been pushing for reunification.
  • The rejection has significant implications for Cyprus, including the potential for EU membership and the lifting of trade and communication embargoes on the Turkish Cypriot north.
  • The UN peacekeeping forces will remain on the island, with the number of Turkish troops gradually decreasing to 650 by 2018, under the rejected plan.
  • The Turkish government has hailed the outcome as a diplomatic success, with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul stating that the soldiers would remain indefinitely, citing the partition of the island as fixed by the referendum.
  • The United States and the European Union have expressed disappointment at the rejection of the plan, which was Western-backed.
  • Tassos Papadopoulos, the Greek Cypriot president, has stated that the world would be wrong to interpret the referendum as a rejection of reunification, but rather a rejection of the Annan plan.
  • The northern part of Cyprus is expected to be poorer than the Greek south, with approximately 35% of the island's people living in the Turkish-controlled north.
  • Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, has called for an end to the economic embargo and the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Statistics:

  • 65% of Turkish Cypriots approved the Annan plan, while 75% of Greek Cypriots rejected it.
  • The voter turnout was high, with 90% of registered Greek Cypriots and 75% of registered Turkish Cypriots participating in the referendum.
  • 120,000 people would have been entitled to return to their homes under the rejected plan.
  • The number of Turkish troops on the island would have gradually decreased to 650 by 2018 under the rejected plan.
  • The Greek Cypriot government controls only two-thirds of the island's territory and one-fourth of its people.

Sources:

  • "EU Officials Condemn Greek Cypriots over Referendum" by Susan Sachs, New York Times, [no date mentioned] but in 2004
  • "Cyprus Rejects UN Plan for Reunification" by Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, [no date mentioned] but in 2004
  • "Cyprus Vote: A Diplomatic Setback for the West" by Patrick Seale, Lebanon Times, [no date mentioned] but in 2004

Read more