The resolution reiterated the importance of achieving an overall political settlement in Cyprus and commended the Secretary-General Kofi Annan for using his initiative to present a settlement plan to lessen the differences between the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus. It regretted the approach of the Turkish Cypriot leadership that delayed a possible agreement on a plan for simultaneous referenda denying the Turkish and Greek Cypriots a chance to decide themselves, which meant there would be no conclusion before 16 April 2003 when Cyprus' accession to the European Union would be signed.[1][2] The Council had described the Secretary-General's plan as providing a "unique basis" for further talks.[3]