TRNC not to appoint new negotiator in Cyprus talks

By Murat Demirci

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akinci said on Monday he would not appoint a new negotiator in the island’s reunification talks.

“I am not thinking of appointing a new negotiator right now,” Akinci said at the presidential palace in capital Lefkosa.

His remarks came after he received former chief negotiator Ozdil Nami -- who was appointed as Economy and Energy Minister -- following Jan. 7 snap elections.

The reason being that the Turkish side does not want the same thing to go on for another 50 years, he added.

The talks, which ended in failure in the Swiss city of Crans-Montana last July, could only commence if the Greek side will change their mentality, he said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by violence against the island's Turks, and Ankara's intervention as a guarantor power.

The island has seen an on-and-off peace process in recent years, including the latest initiative in Switzerland under the auspices of guarantor countries Turkey, Greece and Britain collapsing last year.

Turkey blames Greek Cypriot intransigence for the talks' failure, also faulting the European Union for admitting Cyprus as a divided island into the union in 2004 after Greek Cypriot voters rejected a peace deal.