Akinci Put Out by Ozersay-Anastasiades Meeting

Feathers were ruffled after TRNC Foreign Minister Kudret Ozersay met with President Nicos Anastasiades on 4 June, without the knowledge of President Mustafa Akinci. The meeting has reportedly created a rift between the two Turkish Cypriot politicians.

Spokesman for President Akinci Baris Burcu, said that Ozersay’s failure to inform Akinci before and after this meeting was contrary to state traditions and protocol. “It is also incompatible with political ethical values”, he said.

Akinci’s spokesman Baris Burcu said in a written statement on Tuesday, that Prime Minister Ersin Tatar confirmed that Ozersay had a meeting with Anastasiades.

Ozersay responded to the flap on Tuesday evening by saying that the meeting was an informal social gathering that was also attended by his and Anastasiades’ wives

Such a gathering is normal, as he and Anastasiades have been acquaintances for years, and have worked together at the negotiating table, Ozersay countered.

President Akinci’s spokesman said that Akinci regularly informs all competent state institutions on all official and unofficial meetings held with the Greek Cypriot leadership as well as his foreign interlocutors.

The unacceptable stance of the foreign minister who has lately adopted a habit of not informing the President of the contacts he is holding is greatly disappointing,” Burcu said.

Ozersay dismissed the criticism saying that even though the meeting was not a secret, he did not feel obliged to inform Akinci as he was also not kept informed regarding meetings held by Akinci in the past, such as the meeting he held with Akel leader Andros Kyprianou.

It has been speculated that Ozersay, who supports a two-state solution to the Cyprus problem, has discussed this possible outcome with Anastasiades.

Kibris Postasi, Cyprus Mail

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