Turkish PM Accuses Greek Cypriots of Insincerity During Reconciliation Talks

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim stated that the decision to legislate the commemoration day of the 1950 referendum, in which voters chose the union with Greece, undermined the negotiations, adding that the failure of talks would not affect Turkey or Turkish part of Cyprus.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Greek Cypriots have been insincere since the beginning of the talks on reconciliation between the two parts of Cyprus, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Saturday.

"In my opinion, the Greek Cypriots were never sincere from the beginning. They regard the Turkish Cypriots as a minority. How will you establish a bi-communal, equal and fair government if you regard one part as a minority?," Yildirim said in an interview with the Hurriyet newspaper.

The prime minister stressed that the decision to legislate the commemoration day of the 1950 referendum, in which voters chose the union with Greece, undermined the negotiations, adding that the failure of talks would not affect Turkey or Turkish part of Cyprus.

The latest round of Cyprus reconciliation talks on February 16 ended abruptly, with the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots blaming each other for the early departure.

Cyprus has been partitioned since 1974, when Turkey occupied the island's north, later proclaiming the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) there. The TRNC is recognized only by Turkey, which maintains its military presence there.