Although both sides had accepted the 137 page document as a 'basis for negotiation', and the Greek Cypriot side submitted its response on Wednesday, the Turkish Cypriot authorities missed the deadline. This prompted President Glafcos Clerides to demand the return of the Greek Cypriot submission, as the replies were intended to be delivered simultaneously.

However, the Cyprus Weekly reported that Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash eventually submitted his official response to the UN Secretariat in New York, late last week.

Both sides have expressed strong objections to various aspects of the UN proposals, and it now appears increasing unlikely that an agreement can be reached before the EU's December 12 summit, when Cyprus will be invited to join the European bloc.

However, having received the thoughts and objections of each side on the matter, UN diplomats can at least now work on a revised draft to be presented prior to the Copenhagen summit.

According to reports, Mr Denktash last week ignored medical advice to travel from New York (where he has been recovering after heart surgery) to Istanbul, and then back to Cyprus, where proximity talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot camps were scheduled to begin on Saturday.