What Has Annan Changed in Cyprus Plan?

The map of the island remains the same in the revised Plan, but Turkish will be recognized as an

official language by May 1, whereas previously this change had been scheduled for five years later. In European Union (EU) institutions, as of May 1, Turkish will be used and the Turkish leaders will be able to make their speeches in Turkish. The Plan includes some revisions in property matters that are in favor of Cypriot Turks; however, for the Cypriot Greeks, the transitional period is anticipated to last 20 years. In the final draft two days ago it was stated that the Cypriot Greeks will not be able to buy property in the north until the Cyprus Turkish State’s gross national product is 85 percent of the Cyprus Greek State’s, or, if this does not occur, Greeks may buy property in the north in 20 years.

The draft stated that both the constituent states will be able to establish trade and cultural relations with the outside world, and the final draft adds economic and financial relations to this. In the final draft, how the Turkish side will receive financial assistance from the E.U. is also included in detail.

Another revision concerned ministerial positions and the Presidential Council. The first co-president of the transitional period will be determined by a coin toss. As for the selection of ministers, it is stated that if political parties in the component states cannot reach an agreement, a new regulation will take place instead of a coin toss. The biggest political party will therefore have the more important ministries leaving others with the scraps. In determination of ministerial positions, vote proportions will be taken into consideration.