Northern Cyprus tells Greek side to reverse Enosis vote

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

The Greek Cypriot administration should first reverse its Enosis decision for the Cyprus talks to continue, the Turkish Cypriot president said Friday.

The Greek Cypriot parliament recently voted to introduce a yearly public school commemoration of a 1950 referendum in which Greek Cypriots voted overwhelmingly for Athens to take over the island, an idea known as Enosis (Union).

That vote destroyed the current negotiations over the island and has led to increased tension between the sides, according to Northern Cyprus.

Speaking to reporters in the capital Lefkosa, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Mustafa Akinci said: "First, you correct the mistake, then we can sit at the table together."

Akinci made the remarks after returning to the island from Pakistan's capital Islamabad where he attended the 13th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit.

He said all sides demanding peace in Cyprus, including UN and EU should ask the Greek Cyprus administration to "correct the Enosis mistake".

Akinci said Thursday "it is the Greek side's turn to take a step" for further negotiations.

*Reporting by Murat Demirci; Writing by Ayse Humeyra Atilgan