The accession of Cyprus to the EU on 1 May 2004 offers an historic opportunity for the achievement of a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on the proposals of the UN Secretary General. I hope that this opportunity will be grasped and that it will prove possible for a united Cyprus to join the EU during Ireland's Presidency.
Following the failure of UN-sponsored negotiations in March this year, the European Council in March and in June reaffirmed the EU's strong support for a comprehensive settlement within the framework of Secretary General Kofi Annan's proposals. The Thessaloniki European Council in June noted that the accession of Cyprus is already creating favourable conditions for the two communities to reach a comprehensive settlement. It reiterated the willingness of the EU to accommodate the terms of a settlement in line with the principles on which the Union is founded.