World leaders have expressed disappointment and regret over the results of Saturday's referenda on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan on Cyprus reunification,in which Greek Cypriots voted "no" to the peace deal.

In a message delivered by Annan's envoy for Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, the UN chief said he respects the outcome of the two referenda but regretted that the reunification goal has not been achieved and an unique and historic chance to resolve the Cyprus problem has been missed.

The secretary general said he intends to give careful thought to the implications of the result.

Annan applauded the Turkish Cypriots, who approved the plan "notwithstanding the significant sacrifices" that it entailed for many of them.

The UN chief also expressed his hope that the Greek Cypriots would arrive at a different view in the fullness of time after a profound and sober assessment of their decision for a settlement to the problem.

De Soto said the UN peace envoy office set up on the island would be closing down in the coming weeks.

Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos pledged his continued efforts to reunify the island following the referenda.

The result of the referendum in the Greek Cypriot community, which rejected the UN plan, should act as a catalyst for unification and not as a pretext for further division, Papadopoulos said in a statement after official results of the referenda were announced.

He assured the Turkish Cypriots that he would remain focused ona solution to a bizonal, bicommunal federation, noting that he would be announcing new measures to support the Turkish Cypriots and allow them, as far as possible, to enjoy the benefits which will be brought by Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

"We want the reunification of Cyprus and the two communities inconditions of security, with human rights and fundamental freedomssafeguarded," Papadopoulos said, stressing that the rejection of the Annan plan is not the end of the road.

There will be a continuation and there will necessarily be new prospects and new possibilities, he said.

Cyprus, an eastern Mediterranean island, has been divided into the Turkish-Cypriot north and the Greek-Cypriot south since 1974 when Turkish troops entered the north of the island after a failedGreek-Cypriot coup seeking union with Greece. Only the Greek Cypriot side of the island will join the European Union on May 1.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Greek Cypriot side has lost out on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan.

"A democratic result has been reached in Cyprus upon peoples' will. There would have been a new period with a different start onMay 1 if both sides had voted yes, but it did not happen," Erdoganwas quoted as saying.

"Here I want to especially stress a reality, that is, accordingto me, southern Cyprus has wasted this step of goodwill by not contributing to the formation of a fair and lasting solution," Erdogan said. "We did not want such a result and actually, southern Cyprus has lost out in this step towards a solution."

The European Commission (EC) said it respects the decision of the Cypriot people but deeply regrets that the Greek Cypriot community did not approve the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

"A unique opportunity to bring about a solution to the long-lasting Cyprus issue has been missed," the EC said.

The EC said it would like to warmly congratulate Turkish Cypriots for their "Yes" vote. "This signals a clear desire of thecommunity to resolve the island's problem. The (European) Commission is ready to consider ways of further promoting economicdevelopment of the northern part of Cyprus," it added.

The United States, Britain and Germany have also expressed disappointment at the results of the twin referenda.

"We commend all who voted to approve the plan -- particularly alarge majority of Turkish Cypriots -- for their courage and their vote for peace and reconciliation," US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said, adding "We are disappointed that a majority of Greek Cypriots voted against the settlement plan."

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in a statement that he was "saddened" by the majority of Greek Cypriot voters' decision to reject the settlement.

"We will respect the choice which Greek Cypriots have expressedtoday. But I hope that they will continue to reflect on whether this choice is the right one for them," Straw said.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said in Berlin, "It is disappointing to see that the citizens in the south of the island have not seized the big chance of reunification."

Source: Xinhua