Cyprus reunification talks were at a standstill on Thursday after U.N.-led discussions with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı failed to make any progress, local media reported.
United Nations Special Envoy Espen Barth Eide said after two separate meetings with representatives from both sides that it was up Anastasiades and Akıncı to determine whether another international summit could resolve the deadlock.
Each side blamed the other over the lack of progress. Anastasiades said Turkey lacked goodwill, while Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said an Anastasiades proposal presented to Akinci on Wednesday was “strange and unreasonable.”
According to media reports, talks stalled because Turkish-Cypriots want to make oil and gas drilling and exploration off the island’s coast an issue in a settlement.
The U.N. has been trying to restart reunification talks after negotiations came to a standstill in February.
Cyprus has been divided since Turkey invaded the island in 1974. Anastasiades’ Greek Cypriot government is recognized around the world except in Turkey, which only recognizes Akıncı’s.