Extract on Cyprus from the Resolution adopted by the Heads of Government at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Nigeria Dec. 5-8th 2003

December 10, 2003

20.    Heads of Government welcomed the signing by the Republic of Cyprus of the Accession Treaty to the European Union on 16 April, 2003 and expressed the wish that a solution of the Cyprus problem would be found before 1 May 2004 that would allow a reunited Cyprus to become a member of the European Union.

21.    Heads of Government reaffirmed their support for the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus .

22.    They regretted that the latest effort of the United Nations Secretary-General under his mission of Good Offices in Cyprus collapsed at The Hague meeting on 10 March 2003 due to the negative approach taken by the Turkish Cypriot leader.

23.    They further regretted that the Turkish Cypriot leader continues to maintain the same negative approach, thus hindering the resumption of negotiations based on the Annan Plan.

24.    Recalling and reaffirming previous UN Security Council Resolutions and reaffirming their previous Communiqués on Cyprus, Heads of Government called upon all parties concerned and in particular Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership to co-operate fully with the UN Secretary-General so as to enable the early resumption of substantive negotiations based on the UN Secretary-General ’s proposals, aimed at the conclusion of a just, lasting and functional settlement consistent with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. 

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