Secretary-General's press encounter upon departure from Cyprus (unofficial transcript)

I am very satisfied with the outcome of my mission which I have conducted over the past few days in Ankara, Athens and Nicosia in relation to a Cyprus settlement. In particular, I am glad that the two leaders, Mr. Denktash and Mr. Papadopoulos, have agreed to meet me again in The Hague on 10 March.

I have asked the two leaders to arrive at The Hague prepared to tell me, there and then, whether or not they would sign a commitment to submit the Foundation Agreement to approval at separate, simultaneous referenda on 30 March in order to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. I have also asked the two leaders to arrive in The Hague having completed all necessary internal consultations and processes so that the response on 10 March is definitive.

At the end of my visit, I am convinced that all concerned –Greece, Turkey and the two parties in the island –understand that the holding of referenda on 30 March is the key to a reunited Cyprus signing the Treaty of Accession on 16 April. I myself am absolutely certain that a Cyprus Settlement which brings about a new state of affairs, would be a great benefit to all the people of Cyprus, as well as to the motherlands, the region and to the world.

There is a unique opportunity that must not be missed. I said on arrival, Cyprus has a rendezvous with destiny. I believe very strongly that the Plan for Settlement that is on offer is fair and balanced. Of course it is a compromise. But all negotiated settlements require compromise. I urge all concerned to catch the tide before it turns, perhaps irreversibly.

As I leave this beautiful island, I pray and hope that you will soon have the settlement so long hoped for and so long denied.

Q: Mr. Annan, what is the meaning of the meeting in The Hague when

Mr. Denktash says he will not put his signature to the plan that he calls a sleight of hand?

SG: I think I made it very clear in my statement this morning and in my talks with the leaders that I want them to come to The Hague to tell me that they are going to put the settlement plan to referenda and that they will let the people decide. I think it is important that people are given the chance to decide. I have not asked

Mr. Denktash to sign the agreement. What I want is a commitment from him when we meet that the issue be put to referendum on 30 March.

Q: Mr. Annan, if the answer is no?

SG: If the answer from one party or the other is “no”, there should be no doubt that we are at the end of the road. We put a lot of efforts into this and I'm not sure whether this opportunity will come again soon - if ever it comes again. I think it will be a sad day for the people of this island, for both communities and for the region. We have an opportunity here to reunite this island and get them into the European Union, a development that would improve the Turkey-Greece relationship and Turkey-EU relationship and relationship with the region, so I think we should all consider the downside very carefully.

Q: What if one party tries to put off or postpone the agreement beyond the 30th of March?

SG: No one has that choice. I have stated to them very clearly that if a reunited Cyprus is to enter the European Union to sign the accession treaty on 16 April we must have that referendum on 30 March. So if you work backwards - they don't have the time. I know this process has taken a very long time. We are at the end of the road and I think we have to be very careful not to think that there is a lot of time and one can continue business as usual.