Greek foreign minister hits out at Cyprus UN envoy over comments

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias issued a stern response to United Nations Special Adviser for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide Wednesday after the Norwegian diplomat told a Greek newspaper in an interview that peace negotiations – which have stalled – between rival leaders on the island should continue in order to avoid a possible crisis.

Speaking after his meeting in Athens with his Croatian counterpart Davor Ivo Stier, Kotzias said that mediators should not speak so much, especially when the problem they are dealing with is so delicate and difficult. “We are searching for a solution, not because we are being threatened,” he said, adding that a solution is being sought so that threats are not used by anybody.