Roundup: Cyprus concerned over predominance of Turkish Cypriot nationalist parties in new coalition

The Cypriot government on Monday voiced concern over the possible impact of the predominance of two Turkish Cypriot nationalist parties in the new so-called government of the northern part of the island on the ongoing negotiations to solve the long-standing Cyprus problem.

Cypriot government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides told the state radio that the setting up of a new so-called government by the two parties to succeed a moderate coalition of the breakaway state in the northern part of Cyprus does not augur well for the negotiations.

The National Unity Party and the Democratic Party, which are known to be opposed to the reunification of Cyprus, announced on Sunday that they reached agreement on sharing the posts in a new so-called government after the previous left-wing coalition resigned in disagreement with the Turkish government over a financing protocol.

A breakaway state recognized only by Turkey was set up in the northern part of Cyprus after Turkey controlled the part of the island in 1974, invoking intervention rights after a coup against the Cypriot government by the military junta ruling Greece at the time.

The previous social democracy coalition resigned in protest against austerity dictated by Turkey as a condition to continue its financing, according to media reports.

"The government is not satisfied with the prevalence of groups within the Turkish Cypriot political field that do not support the negotiating process," Christodoulides said after the new coalition was announced.

The Communal Democracy Party of Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci also said on Sunday that the new formation is bent on blocking any agreement that would reunify Cyprus into a federal state.

Akinci is currently engaged in negotiations with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades which are aimed at a solution by the end of this year.

Though the so-called government is not involved in the negotiations, Akinci himself said that he is worried that he may face difficulties in the form of efforts by the new coalition to block an agreement.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Cavusoglu paid an unannounced visit to the northern part of Cyprus on Saturday in a show of support to the coalition.

In remarks after meeting the new designated so-called prime minister, Huseyin Ozgurgun, Cavusoglu sought to pacify fears about an impact on efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

He said that this is a crucial period for the Cyprus problem, adding that it is important for the negotiations to continue and also to have stability and harmony in the Turkish Cypriot part of Cyprus. Endit