Speculation is growing within the Turkish Cypriot community that Mehmet Dana may be appointed as the negotiator of the Turkish Cypriot side, a perception that appears to be gaining ground even among members of the Greek Cypriot negotiating team.
A diplomatic source told politis.com.cy that it is “not unlikely” that newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman could eventually entrust Mehmet Dana with the role. This impression has strengthened partly because no negotiator has yet been appointed, and because Erhürman’s first meeting with the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus and head of UNFICYP, Haseem Diyan, took place in Dana’s presence.
Seasoned diplomat with UN experience
Mehmet Dana is a career diplomat in the Turkish Cypriot 'foreign ministry' and previously served on the negotiating team of former leader Mehmet Ali Talat. He also represented the 'TRNC' in New York for several years, where he became well known to both UN officials and the Greek Cypriot side.
In August, Dana was appointed Director-General of the 'foreign ministry', giving him a professional background and profile broadly similar to that of Menelaos Menelaou, the current Greek Cypriot negotiator.
More recently, however, he was named 'Deputy Minister of the Presidency' by the new Turkish Cypriot leader - a move that could suggest another figure might eventually take on the negotiating role.
Other names and possible scenarios
Following Tufan Erhürman’s election, there was widespread speculation that the new negotiator might instead be Özdil Nami, another experienced Turkish Cypriot politician and former negotiator.
A source within the Turkish Cypriot community told politis.com.cy that Erhürman may delay appointing a negotiator altogether, at least until there are real prospects for the resumption of substantive talks on the Cyprus issue.