Papadopoulos and Denktash agree at a February meeting in New York to a new procedure aimed at putting the Annan Plan to twin referendums before Cyprus joins the EU on May 1. The referendum on the Annan Plan was held on April 24 following negotiations in Burgenstock, Switzerland. After a bitter yes/no campaigns, Greek Cypriots voted 76 per cent against the solution plan and 65 per cent of Turkish Cypriots voted in favour.
Cyprus joined the EU on May 1 against the backdrop referendum failure and the overt disappointment of the EU and the rest of the international community.