NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Turkey’s president on Saturday dampened hopes for an early resumption of negotiations to heal a half-century-old conflict. Ethnic division On Cyprus, he reaffirmed his support for a two-state agreement, which Greek Cypriots dismiss as impossible.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected the peace deal based on a UN-endorsed federalisation plan, ahead of a military parade to mark the 50th anniversary of Turkey’s invasion. Split the island Along ethnic lines.
Erdogan has previously rejected the idea of federalism, but Greece and Greek Cypriots had hoped he would soften his stance.
The anniversary is a cause for celebration for Turkish Cypriots who live in the northern third of the island, who see the invasion as a relief from rule by the Greek-speaking majority, which came after a coup aimed at unification with Greece backed by the military junta then ruling Athens.
Air raid sirens blared as dawn broke in the south, marking the start of a solemn day remembered by Greek Cypriots as a catastrophe that left thousands dead or missing and forced a quarter of the Greek Cypriot population to flee.
Erdogan’s comments may further complicate the UN Secretary-General’s position Antonio Guterres Efforts to obtain Both sides back President Trump’s personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, has been investigating the situation on both sides for the past six months.
“We will continue to fight with firm determination for the recognition of the TRNC (separatist Turkish Cypriot state) and the implementation of the two-state solution,” Erdogan told thousands of Turkish Cypriots who lined the parade route in scorching heat in the divided northern half of the capital, Nicosia.
“We believe that a federal solution in Cyprus is impossible,” Erdogan said. “Turkish Cypriots are willing to negotiate with the Greek side on an equal footing and are ready to sit down and negotiate. If we want a solution, we need to recognize the rights of Turkish Cypriots.”
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar said Turkish Cypriots reject “domination” by the Greek Cypriot majority and want “equal state status” for the breakaway state they unilaterally declared in 1983 but which is recognised only by Turkey. He added that there was now no “common ground” to return to peace talks.
Tatar noted that the Ankara parliament recently passed a resolution calling for a two-state solution, which he said would “be very helpful to us and our cause.”
Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said he remained committed to restarting peace talks to reunite the island as a federation, despite obstruction and “threats” from Erdogan.
But Christodoulidis said he would not sign any agreement that assumes a two-state coexistence or that is unworkable and does not guarantee the rights given to citizens of other European Union member states.
Speaking at the event, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said there was no choice but to restart the talks, a view shared by the UN secretary-general.
“Those who are not right and cannot be debated avoid dialogue,” Mitsotakis said.
After multiple failed peace talks, many Cypriots on both sides are weary but still hold out a glimmer of hope for a peace deal.
As well as the evening events at the presidential palace, Greek Cypriot commemorations also included the unveiling of a monument to fallen heroes and a church service.
Prior to this, President Erdogan hosted a packed “50th anniversary of the founding of the country” event, which included a visit to Turkey’s first amphibious assault ship equipped with Turkey’s powerful Bayraktar drone and an air show.
The EU, which Cyprus joined in 2004, called on both sides to demonstrate a “serious commitment” to a peace agreement in line with UN resolutions.
“Too much time has been lost,” an EU spokesman said. “Forced partition will never be the solution. There is still hope for a better future, a united Cyprus.”
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Associated Press writer Andrew Wilkes in Istanbul contributed.
