Turkish Cypriot trade talks called off

Private meetings between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot representatives to try and break the deadlock over Turkish Cypriot exports to EU countries broke down on Wednesday, reportedly after anger by the Greek Cypriot side that the secret meetings had been leaked to the press.

According to reports, in informal meetings where Cypriots participated as individuals in order to bypass recognition problems, Tasos Tzionis, advisor to President Tassos Papadopoulos, and Rasit Pertv, adviser to Turkish Cypriot leader Merhmet Ali Talat , discussed a compromise proposal as follows.

Turkish Cypriot exports to EU countries as proposed under the stalled direct trade regulation would be possible as long as there was joint Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot operation of Famagusta port, which the (Greek Cypriot) Republic of Cyprus does not recognise, and as long as Turkish Cypriots put a stop to the development of Greek Cypriot land in the occupied north.

However, it appears that Greek Cypriots called off the talks following leaks on details to the press.

Britain is known to be keen that a deal is reached under the Luxembourg Presidency of the EU that ends this month, before the UK takes over the rotating presidency in July. British diplomats are aware that in Greek Cypriot eyes they will never be seen as neutral, as they are supposed to be under an EU Presidency.

Turkish Cypriots, backed by the UK among others, has tied its acceptance of the regulation on financial aid to a deal on direct trade as well.

However, the aid available to Turkish Cypriots has an expiry date and could be lost if it is not used soon.