Greek Cypriot negotiator accuses Turkish Cypriot side of delaying Cyprus talks

New York, United States. Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelaou on Monday accused the Turkish Cypriot side of a “pattern of obstruction” that he said was delaying efforts to renew Cyprus talks. His comments followed unsuccessful efforts in New York to arrange a meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Preparations for renewed talks

Menelaou told the Cyprus News Agency that the Greek Cypriot side had left New York with Guterres’ commitment to exhaust every possibility for progress until the final day of his term. The aim, he said, remained an expanded meeting that would secure a decision to resume formal negotiations.

Preparatory work was continuing and significant steps had been taken, Menelaou said, though he added that further progress was possible. He described the Turkish Cypriot side’s approach as “delaying tactics” and said the process should move forward as soon as possible, having already taken longer than it should.

Menelaou said the conditions for the next step were in place, citing Guterres’ determination and the progress of preparations. He said renewed negotiations should preserve the acquis of the previous effort, which ended in the summer of 2017 at Crans-Montana.

National Council meeting

Christodoulides intends to convene the National Council on Wednesday to brief its members and discuss the latest developments on the Cyprus problem, government sources told the Cyprus News Agency.