European Commission 'deeply regrets' Cyprus referendum outcome

The rejection of the plan for the reunification of Cyprus, which had to be approved by both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, means that only Greek Cypriots will enjoy the benefits of Cyprus’ joining the European Union on May 1.

Secretary General Kofi Annan’s plan faltered when Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly rejected it in a referendum, despite Turkish Cypriots voting heavily in favour.

Final, official results in the Greek Cypriot south showed 76% voting against the plan and 24% approving it. In the north, 65% of Turkish Cypriots voted ”yes” and 35% voted “no.”

The European Commission said it “deeply regrets that the Greek Cypriot community” rejected the plan.

“A unique opportunity to bring about a solution to the long-lasting Cyprus issue has been missed,” the Commission said in a statement in Brussels.

The commission, the EU’s administration, said it wanted to ”warmly congratulate Turkish Cypriots for their “yes” vote.”

It added it would look at ways to promote their development.

Greek Cypriots were known to be opposed to the plan because it limited the number of Greek Cypriots who could return to their homes in the north of the island, which they had fled after Turkey invaded in 1974 following a coup by supporters of union with Greece.

Turkish Cypriots tended to favour the plan because they saw it as a means to greater prosperity and EU membership.