Turkish Coalition of America on Twitter Turkish Coalition of America on Facebook Turkish Coalition of America on YouTube
Turkish Coalition of America
  • Amerika Turk Koalisyonu

Cyprus and the Annan Plan

TCA ISSUE PAPER-5
April 26, 2007

The following are excerpts of remarks by Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY), entered into the Congressional Record on April 24, 2007.

(…) On this date three years ago, the inhabitants of the island (Cyprus) participated in a referenda put forward by the United Nations under Secretary General Kofi Annan. The Annan Plan (…) foresaw a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation based on political equality. We recall that the Turkish Cypriots in the north of the island voted by an impressive majority in favor of the Annan Plan. Unfortunately, this support was not reciprocated by the Greek Cypriots and a comprehensive settlement was not, nor has been since, agreed to.

The Annan was the product of intense negotiations conducted under the auspices of the UN Secretary General between the Turkish Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, Turkey and Greece (…) Had it passed, it would have brought about a resolution to the longstanding separation of the island and contributed to political stability in this region of the world. Following the referenda, the Greek Cypriot side, which rejected the Annan Plan, was granted entrance into the EU. However, the Turkish Cypriot side, which accepted the settlement plan, remained outside of the EU.

Soon after the referenda, the former UN Secretary General, in his report to the Security Council, pointed out this injustice and stressed that the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots should be lifted given that they had voted for a settlement. In the same report, he called upon all states to eliminate the unnecessary restrictions and barriers that have the effect of isolating the people of Northern Cyprus and impeding development. 

The Council of the European Union, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Organization of the Islamic Conference all concurred in declaring the need to put right this injustice.

Although it has been three years since the international community made commitments toward this end, and despite the conviction that reducing the inequalities between the economies of the two sides would facilitate the reunification of the island, the necessary steps have not been taken regarding the removal or relaxation of the isolation (…)

More than ever before, as supporters of a comprehensive settlement on the island, I strongly believe that the removal of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots – economic, social and political – would be the most positive step in the quest for the resumption of political negotiations on the path to a settlement. The Turkish Cypriots have demonstrated remarkable flexibility and political maturity. They rose to the occasion when the critical moment came three years ago in mutually deciding the future of Cyprus. Acknowledging and properly responding to their constructive behavior is not only the right message to all concerned, but is also a requisite of fairness and justice

  • Post this article to Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Print this page

TCA Issue Papers

  • Cyprus and the Annan PlanCyprus and the Annan PlanOn this date three years ago, the inhabi...read more
  • Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Celebrates 24th AnniversaryTurkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Celebrates 24th Anniversaryread more
  • Home
  • About US
  • Support TCA
  • Contact
  • Internships
    • TCA Washington Summer Internship Program
    • Previous Programs
  • Youth Congress
    • 2019 Youth Congress Application
    • 2018 Youth Congress
    • 2017 Youth Congress
    • 2016 Youth Congress
    • 2015 Youth Congress
    • 2014 Youth Congress
    • Turkish-Canadian Youth Congress
  • Turkish American Women’s Leadership Initiative
  • Grants
    • Turkey Study Tour Grants
    • Academic Grants
    • Public Awareness / Grassroots Grants
    • Heritage Grants
    • Humanitarian Grants
  • Issues & Information
    • U.S.-Turkey Relations
    • PKK Terrorism
    • Turkey and Europe
    • Armenian Issue
    • Cyprus Issue
    • Turkish History
    • Turkish Minorities Abroad
    • TCA Issue Papers
    • Reading Lists and General Resources on Turkey
  • Turkish American Community
    • Turkish American Appointed Officials
    • Turkish Americans Elected to Political Office
    • Elected Officials with Turkish Heritage
    • Turkish American Organizations
    • Turkish American Publications and Broadcasts
    • Turkish American Online Services
    • Prominent Turkish Americans
    • Turk Evleri
  • U.S. Congress
  • The Turkey Caucus
  • Outreach to Heritage Communities
    • African American Outreach
    • Native American Outreach
    • Hispanic American Outreach
  • Scholarships
    • Study Abroad Scholarships for American Students of Minority and Heritage Communities
    • Scholarships by Other Organizations
    • Previous TCA Programs
  • News & Events
    • News and Events
    • TCA Issue Papers
    • TCA Newsletters
  • Media
    • TCA in the News
    • Posters and Advertisements
    • Submit a Media Request
  • TAKE ACTION
  • LEGAL RIGHTS
  • CULTURE
Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Donate
  • Support the Turkish Coalition of America by Shopping at AmazonSmile
  • Turkish Coalition of America on YouTube
Turkish Coalition of America
Amerika Turk Koalisyonu
  • Boston
    P.O. Box 611
    Bedford, MA 01730
    Phone: 978.318.0047
    Fax: 978.318.0037
  •  
     
     
  •  
     
     
  • Copyright © 2023 Turkish Coalition of America. All rights reserved.
    Site Map