EU status of Southern Cyprus led to Swiss talks failure

By Sibel Ugurlu

ANKARA (AA) - The acceptance of Southern Cyprus as a full EU member in 2004 paved the way for failure of reunification talks in Switzerland early Friday, according to Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced earlier that talks to reunify the island of Cyprus ended in failure in Crans-Montana.

Representatives from the EU, the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaderships, and the guarantor nations of Turkey, Greece and the U.K., had participated in the intense discussions that began at the end of last month to resolve the dispute.

The UN is seeking a peace deal to unite Cyprus under a federal umbrella that could also define the future of Europe's relations with Turkey, a key player in the conflict.

The Eastern Mediterranean island 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.

Speaking to reporters in Ankara on Friday, Yildirim said Turkey would continue its positive attitude towards finding a permanent solution to the dispute.

“Either through United Nations or other organizations, if they want a permanent, fair and equal solution on the island, we will always continue being constructive,” he said.

"Turkey will use international law to protect the rights of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and our brothers living there.”

He said Turkey had made all efforts since the beginning of the talks and proved its sincerity towards peace.

"Turkey showed clearly to the United Nations, the European Union and other guarantor countries that it is the side that is seeking a solution sincerely," he said.

“However, after the referendum in 2004, South Cyprus's unilateral full membership to the European Union actually paved the way for the present situation.

"The Greek Cypriot side did not show the expected constructive attitude towards the solution, unfortunately, with the ease of being a member of the European Union.”