EU ponders next step on Cyprus

BELGIUM, Belgium, April 26 (UPI) -- The European Union, still angry over the Greek Cypriot rejection of reunification, was considering its next action Monday, European media reported.

Guenter Verheugen, the Brussels commissioner responsible for EU enlargement, said following the defeat of the referendum on a U.N. plan to reunify the divided Mediterranean island "a shadow hangs over the entry of Cyprus (into the EU)."

On Saturday Greek Cypriots, who occupy the southern part of the island, voted overwhelmingly to reject the U.N. plan. Turkish Cypriots in the north voted for it.

The frustrating result has created a great deal of sympathy for Turkish Cyprus internationally, and brought much condemnation on the Cypriot Greeks.

EU officials said juridically the whole of the island of Cyprus was accepted into the union. However, a "yes" vote on reunification is need in both sectors.

The island has been divided since 1974 following an invasion by troops from mainland Turkey to block an attempted coup by Greek Cypriots seeking annexation to mainland Greece.

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