Turkish Cypriot min: No negotiation process in Cyprus

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - There has been no negotiation process in Cyprus after 2017, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Wednesday.

"It is clear that there was no negotiation process in Cyprus after 2017. The Greek Cypriot side is trying to prevent a change in the UN peacekeeping force by implying that there is a negotiation process.

"This is an inconsistent approach. We are against the understanding of likewise continuation of the UNFICYP, namely the continuation of the status quo, and we are conducting diplomatic initiatives in this direction," Kudret Ozersay told Bayrak Radio and Television, according to a statement.

Ozersay said the Greek Cypriot side considers the change of mandate of the UN Peace Force in Cyprus as a breakdown of the status quo.

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.

It has seen an on-and-off peace process in recent years, including the collapse of the 2017 initiative in Switzerland under the auspices of guarantor countries Turkey, Greece, and the U.K.