UN: “No settlement on criteria for territorial adjustment, the parties have decided to return to Cyprus and reflect on the way forward”
22 November, 2016Duncan: “It is an exaggeration to say that negotiations have collapsed completely”
23 November, 2016The second round of talks in Switzerland has failed to reach a solution due to the uncompromising attitude of the Greek Cypriot side.
Following a five hour meeting in Mont Pèlerin, Switzerland, Presidential Spokesperson Barış Burcu made a statement to the press.
In the statement, Burcu highlighted that while President Mustafa Akıncı has struggled to pave the way for a solution, he has done his best. He also said that he is very sad to announce this result.
Burcu added that President Akıncı will evaluate the negotiations after his arrival on the island, and that the necessary decisions will be stated: “We will evaluate the next phase as one community” Burcu said.
Burcu affirmed that the Turkish Cypriot side engaged in the talks, on both a political and technical level, with good will. The Turkish Cypriot side tried its utmost to lay the groundwork for the last phase of the negotiations but the Greek Cypriot side did not complete the necessary political, ideological and technical preparations. The Turkish Cypriot side accepted the invitation to have a one week break at the talks upon the request of the Greek Cypriot side, but Burcu said that the Greek Cypriot side did not use this extra time effectively. The reason for a deadlock is the Greek Cypriot side’s maximalist approach and their intention to bargain on the issue of a rotating presidency at the five-party conference and the issue of Territory.
Burcu reminded the press of a statement by Greece’s Prime Minister that “if the guarantees are not cancelled and if the Turkish soldiers do not withdraw from the island, I will not attend the five-party conference.” Burcu continued: “This was a tactic to get the result they want without going to the conference and it was not possible for us to stay silent in front of such a tactic. The attitude of Greece was completely irresponsible and the attitude of Greece’s Prime Minister was to sabotage the works which would pave the way for the five-party conference.”
Burcu said that two of the main three criteria to be taken up at Mont Pèlerin were the rate of territory to be given to the founding states and the number of refugees which will return to the territories.
Burcu added “We did not arrive in Mont Pèlerin with an understanding that we would end the territory issue from A to Z. We were aware of our responsibilities for the destiny of this process. Our proposal on the issue of territory was that 29.2% of the island’s territory would stay in the Turkish Cypriot side.”
“I want to express that we, as the Turkish Cypriot side, President Akıncı and the negotiating team as a whole, have done our best to reach a good result, and that is why all of the negotiating team and President have clear conscience.”