General Assembly

Official Records
Fifty-eighth Session
Supplement No. 1 (A/58/1)

United Nations 

(Excerpt)

23.     I regret to report that the Cyprus problem, despite the intensive exercise of my good offices, remains unresolved. The lifting of travel restrictions between the north and south of the island in recent months, while welcome, is no substitute for a comprehensive settlement of the core issues. A unique opportunity to achieve a settlement was squandered — a settlement which would have allowed a reunited Cyprus to sign the Treaty of Accession to the European Union on 16 April 2003 . With time running out before the Treaty’s signature, and with hopes renewed by the election in November 2002 of a Government of Turkey that seemed genuinely disposed to resolving the question, I submitted in November 2002 a draft comprehensive settlement to the two Cypriot leaders. Despite their agreeing to negotiate on the basis of that plan, the negotiations failed to result in an agreement and in April 2003 I closed the office of my Special Adviser. A settlement before the entry into force of the Treaty of Accession to the European Union — on 1 May 2004 — would still allow a reunited Cyprus to accede to the European Union. I do not believe, however, that any purpose would be served by my taking a new initiative unless the parties demonstrate their commitment to a settlement on the basis of the plan. Should such a commitment be forthcoming, I shall resume active efforts to resolve this longstanding dispute. In the meantime, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus continues to monitor the buffer zone across the island.

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