15 December, 2003


The Secretary-General has seen the reports of the Turkish Cypriot voting. It appears that it may take some time for a new political dispensation to be established.

The Secretary-General takes this opportunity to restate his position, which is that his plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem remains on the table but that he does not propose to take a new initiative without solid reason to believe that the political will necessary for a successful outcome exists.

The Secretary-General hopes that the Turkish Cypriot side; and indeed all parties;  will soon be in a position to make the necessary commitment so that a reunited Cyprus may accede to the European Union on 1 May 2004.

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