Onderhandelingen over hereniging Cyprus naderen kookpunt (en)

With the deadline for agreeing terms of reunifying the island of Cyprus before EU enlargement on 1 May expiring today, negotiations between Greeks, Turks, the UN and the European Commission are in overdrive.

Both sides reacted yesterday to the latest draft of the plan drawn up by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who has been involved in the talks since Saturday (29 March).

The main sticking point over residence rights in the Turkish North part of the divided island remains.

The draft plan allows for 18 percent of Greek Cypriots to return to homes abandoned during the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island.

Turkish negotiators want to slow the process of integration, fearing a flood of Greek Cypriots and the Greeks are concerned that the plan effectively bans Greek Cypriots from buying property in the Northern part of the island.

EU enlargement commissioner Günter Verheugen is playing a key role in negotiations to make sure that any settlement is in line with EU laws on freedom of movement.

His spokesman yesterday told journalists in Brussels that there were "signs of rapprochement" in the talks.

However, Greeks are said to be unhappy with the latest draft as it allows a Turkish military presence on the island as well as fewer Greeks permitted to return to their homes in the North.

Mixed signals

Overall, there were mixed signals from other parties in the negotiations. According to agency reports, Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis telephoned US Secretary of State Colin Powell to report that there was little progress in talks.

But both Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan are said to be determined to find a way out of the impasse.

On a knife edge

If no deal is brokered by the end of today (31 March), Mr Annan will complete the plan himself and present his document to the citizens of both parts of the island, who will hold a referendum on 20 April.

If the people on either side reject the plan, only the Greek Cypriot half of the island will join the EU on 1 May.

This may cementing the partition of the island and damage Turkey's hopes of joining the Union.

Talks continue today in the Swiss mountain resort of Burgenstock in an attempt to end the 30 year old dispute.