Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides left Monday’s meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar frustrated, as three key proposals on confidence-building measures were rejected.
According to Cyprus Mail, Tatar refused to progress discussions on opening new crossing points, announcing the long-delayed Pyla agreement, or implementing the 2011 Mia Milia water-sharing deal.
Christodoulides said the talks were dominated by Tatar’s complaints about recent arrests made in the south over the usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties in the north.
“There is no positive response. It will be examined. We will see what happens,” Christodoulides stated, adding that the “yavas-yavas [slowly-slowly] approach is not working for the Cyprus problem.”
Despite setbacks, agreements were reached on restoring 30 cemeteries – 15 in each community – and launching the long-awaited Technical Committee on Youth. Some progress was also reported on environmental issues.
The President reiterated his commitment to a resolution and called for greater international involvement.
Tatar, meanwhile, expressed strong dissatisfaction over the property-related arrests, accusing the Greek Cypriot side of politicising the issue.
He said, “this issue greatly bothers the Turkish Cypriots,” and criticised the lack of common ground, though both sides agreed to meet again soon under UN auspices.
Source: Cyprus Mail
