Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides has said that the Greek Cypriot side does not want to enter into a blame game after the failure of the talks in Mont-Pelerin on the territory issue between Cyprus President Nicos Anastiasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.

He noted that the Greek Cypriot side and President Anastasiades are not happy with the way the talks have concluded, noting that after his return to Cyprus, Anastasiades will inform the Cypriot people about the developments and what happened during the negotiations.

Christodoulides said the Greek Cypriot side did not want to play a blame game especially during this difficult evening for Cyprus. Furthermore he rejected and denounced the criticism by the Turkish Cypriot leader`s spokesman Baris Burcu as regards the Greek Cypriot side`s position , noting that it does not in any case respond to what happened at the negotiating table.

Furthermore, he noted that the Turkish Cypriot side`s references to maximalist positions by the Greek Cypriot side do not in any case respond to reality.

Responding to a question, Christodoulides said that the negotiations focused on three basic criteria of the territory issue and there was no specific conclusion, more specifically as regards the criterion related to the return of Greek Cypriots to their ancestral homes as a result of the territorial adjustments.

Efforts were made, views were exchanged, an effort was made by the UN as well, but it was not possible to reach a positive result, he added.

Asked if the Cyprus talks could now be in danger, due to the failure in Mont-Pelerin, Christodoulides said that that it is early to make such assessments and underlined that the Greek Cypriot side is constantly committed to its goal of creating conditions that will pave the way for a positive outcome.

We have one goal, which is to terminate the occupation and reunite our country and we will do everything possible towards this direction, he noted, adding that concrete discussions will be taken after President Anastasiades returns to Cyprus.

Responding to a question, Christodoulides said that the Greek Cypriot side was ready to give a date for a multi-party conference on the issue of security and guarantees if there was an agreement on the territory criteria and a map was drafted based on them.

Christodoulides said that the Greek Cypriot side is not happy at all that due to the Turkish Cypriot side`s stance it was not possible to have an outcome to this “very promising process”, which has produced until now, through very productive negotiations, very positive developments for all the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

He noted that the Greek Cypriot side wants more than anyone else to terminate the unacceptable status quo and will do everything possible to achieve this goal, despite any difficulties and problems there may be.

Asked how the process will now move on, he said that President Anastasiades will review the situation and will take concrete decisions.

He said that the Greek Cypriot side is clearly willing and determined to continue the effort to lift the occupation and reunite the country. “This is crystal clear and someone who has been following the developments at the negotiating table during the last 18 months cannot question it,” he noted.

He added that the UN follow the process for 18 months and know very well how the talks have had this outcome.

Christodoulides also said that President Anastasiades will inform Greek Cypriot political parties about what happened at the talks in Switzerland.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have been engaged in UN-led talks since May last year with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.