Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties failed to agree on Wednesday on a joint declaration, that would call on Turkey to withdraw its research vessel and warships from Cyprus` EEZ, due to the disagreement of the Turkish Cypriot National Unity Party (UBP).

The declaration would also call President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades to return to the negotiations table.

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot party leaders and representatives gathered at Ledra Palas, in the buffer zone, for their regular meeting, under the auspices of Embassy of the Slovak Republic.

They discussed the latest developments in Cyprus` exclusive economic zone, while there was consensus regarding the declaration, with the exception of UBP.

Following the meeting, Slovak Ambassador Oksana Tomova read a joint communique, that was agreed by all present, noting that “the political parties expressed their views on the current serious situation on the island”.

Representatives of Greek Cypriot parties, present at the meeting, expressed their satisfaction for the consensus with Turkish Cypriot parties, except UBP.

Nicos Tornaritis from DISI stated that it is possibly the first time that Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties raised their voice against Turkey`s invasion in Cyprus` EEZ, asking Ankara to withdraw its NAVTEX and ships from the area.

He also said that there was tension at times, he highlighted however the importance of the meeting.

Christos Christofides on behalf of AKEL expressed his satisfaction over the consensus not just among Greek Cypriot but also Turkish Cypriot political parties.

“Turkey`s threats have never been and should not turn into a bi-communal dispute”, he noted, adding that the goal is a united front of all Cypriots against foreign interventions.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus` northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, in spite of repeated calls by the EU to normalize relations with Nicosia.

A NAVTEX (Navigational Telex), a notice to mariners by Turkey, advising that it was reserving areas south of Cyprus – including parts of the country’s EEZ – for seismic surveys, entered early on Monday morning into force, until December 30.

Following Turkey’s provocations, President Anastasiades has recently announced his decision to suspend his participation in the UN backed negotiations which aim to reunify the island under a federal roof.