Cyprioten beslissen in twee referenda over hereniging (en)

Whether Cyprus will join the EU divided or not will now be in the hands of the Cypriot people after UN-led talks in Switzerland failed to reach a deal.

Separate referendums will be held in the two Cypriot communities on 24 April on a final compromise plan presented by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

"This plan is inevitably a compromise. It does not satisfy everyone's demands. But I believe it meets the core interests, and addresses the key concerns, of people on both sides", Kofi Annan said at the end of the talks.

"Let me be clear. The choice is not between this settlement plan and some other magical or mythical solution. In reality, at this stage, the choice is between this settlement and no settlement".

Although Greece has concerns about the plan, it said it is up to the people to decide.

"Unfortunately, it proved impossible to reach an agreed solution. It is now up to the people of Cyprus and its political leadership to make the final decision", Greek prime minister Costas Karamanlis said last night.

The referendum was welcomed by Turkey where its prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the country will "undoubtedly respect the will presented by the two peoples of Cyprus through the referenda".

The plan foresees the establishment of a federal government with two Constituent states, one Greek Cypriot the other Turkish Cypriot, but both largely running their own affairs.

It would also enable a number of Greek Cypriots to return to the northern part of the island while the Turkish military forces would be substantially reduced during a transitional phase.

"There have been too many missed opportunities in the past. For the sake of all of you and your people, I urge you not to make the same mistake again", Kofi Annan said.