Tassos Papadopoulos, the President of Cyprus, has accepted the invitation of the UN Secretary-General to travel to New York to negotiate with the Turkish Cypriot leaders. President Tassos Papadopoulos announced on Saturday that he would participate in the discussions set to begin on Tuesday. On Friday, Rauf Denktash, his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, stated that he would also go to New York. Kofi Annan wants both sides to reach an agreement on the Cyprus issue by the end of March. He also demands that any agreement reached between the Turkish and Greek communities in Cyprus be put to a referendum, with necessary arrangements made by May 1, when Cyprus is set to join the European Union. However, the leaders of both communities oppose the proposed referendum.
Negotiation Between Turkish and Greek Leaders of Cyprus at the United Nations - 2004-02-07
The leaders of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos and Rauf Denktash, are set to negotiate at the UN regarding the Cyprus issue, with a deadline for an agreement by the end of March. Kofi Annan emphasizes the need for a referendum on any agreement, which both communities oppose. This is significant as Cyprus is on the verge of joining the EU.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Tassos Papadopoulos and Rauf Denktash are set to negotiate at the UN regarding the future of Cyprus, with a deadline for an agreement by the end of March. Kofi Annan has called for a referendum on any agreement, which both leaders oppose.
- Cyprus is scheduled to join the European Union on May 1.
- Both communities in Cyprus are resistant to the proposed referendum on any agreement.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 into a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north, following a Turkish invasion. The island's reunification is a long-standing issue with significant geopolitical implications.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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