Talking Point: Cyprus Talks - Leaders’ meeting called off after Akinci refused to attend

The meeting between Greek Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot president Mustafa Akinci, scheduled for Thursday, February 23 has been called off after Akinci declined to attend.

“Unfortunately, we have just been informed by the #UN that, due to the Turkish Cypriot leader’s refusal to attend, tomorrow’s scheduled meeting will not take place,” tweeted Greek Cyprus government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides.

Akinci's refusal to attend the meeting comes after days of a tensed atmosphere that beclouded the negotiations process in which Akinci accused Anastasiades of walking out of the negotiating table during last week's meeting between the two leaders following the decision by the Greek Cypriot parliament to introduce an annual commemoration of the 1950 referendum on the island’s union with Greece (Enosis) in public secondary schools.

Following the parliament's decision, Akinci demanded that the bill be revoked, something Anastasiades says he has no jurisdiction over owing to the fact that parliament is an independent body, though he described the decision as “wrong” and “ill-timed,” he also called on Akinci to return to the negotiating table.

In response to Akinci's decision not to attend Thursday's meeting, Anastasiades later responded in a tweet expressing his regret.

“I regret Mr Akinci’s decision to not attend tomorrow’s meeting,” Anastasiades tweeted and added that “I stand ready to resume the dialogue at any time.”

United Nations’ Special Representative for Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar, had tried to rallied round both parties in an effort to repair the damage but failed. 

Talking Point:
-Do you think the current tension will affect the ongoing negotiation talk?
-How long do you think the current tension will last?
-From the new development, do you think there is hope for a united Cyprus solution in the near future?
-What decision would you expect both leaders and the UN to take at this point in time?

Lets talk.....................