Annan: "The UN settelment plan is still on the table"

“[Annan] takes this opportunity to restate his position, which is that his plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem remains on the table but that he does not propose to take a new initiative without solid reason to believe that the political will necessary for a successful outcome exists,” UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said in a statement yesterday. The statement noted that it appeared that it might take some time for a new political configuration to be established. “Annan hopes that the Turkish Cypriot side — and indeed all parties — will soon be in a position to make the necessary commitment so that a reunited Cyprus may accede to the European Union next May,” the statement added.