Erdogan to discuss Cyprus with Annan

Ankara (dpa) – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is to meet U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan in Madrid on Friday for what will be the first meeting between the two since a U.N. plan to reunite the Mediterranean island of Cyprus failed last year.

Speaking to reporters in Ankara before leaving for Madrid, Erdogan expressed his displeasure at the way the world had failed to reward Turkish Cypriots for their support of the U.N. blueprint while Greek Cypriots who had rejected the plan were rewarded with membership of the European Union.

Annan has in the past said he would be prepared to act again as a negotiator between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots but Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopolous has declared the Annan plan as dead and buried.

In twin referenda last year Greek Cypriots rejected the Annan plan by more than 75% while Turkish Cypriots gave their approval by more than 65%.

Erdogan will be in Madrid for a summit on democracy, terrorism and security.