Expectations for progress on Cyprus issue remain low

Expectations of meaningful negotiations to resolve the Cyprus problem remain low on both sides of the Aegean after Tuesday's meeting in New York between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly.

Erdogan repeated the Turkish accusation that Nicosia is acting unilaterally in the development of natural resources in the island's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), without consulting with the Turkish Cypriots residing in the occupied north.

For his part, Tsipras reiterated that the Cyprus problem must be resolved first before all other issues are tackled.

However, sources said on Wednesday that despite the lack of progress in New York, the meeting between the two men was a cordial one.

The same sources said that even though Erdogan stuck to his country's standard...