European Commissioner for Enlargement Gunter Verheugen said on April 15 that the latest plan offered by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the Cyprus issue is the good basis that builds up the chance of unification on the island.

He told a preparatory donors' conference on Cyprus that the European Union (EU) has always been in favor of a solution based on the Annan plan.

"The Annan plan has been substantially improved during the latest round of talks, which started mid-February in Nicosia and ended two weeks ago in Switzerland. The improvements reflect many proposals put forward in the negotiations by the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots," he said.

He stressed that the Annan plan is in line with the fundamental principles on which the EU is founded and that the viability and the economic sustainability have been strengthened.

"The finalized comprehensive settlement ensures that the United Cyprus Republic is able to speak with one voice in international fora and to fully participate in the EU's decision-making process," the commissioner said.

The EU has already foreseen to provide considerable financial support to the island as soon as a settlement is reached, helping to overcome economic disparities on the island.

Source: Xinhua