Turkish president dampens hopes for restarting talks on Cyprus’ 50-year ethnic split
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Turkey’s president on Saturday put a damper on hopes for a quick resumption of talks to heal a half-century of ethnic division on Cyprus after reaffirming his support for a two-state deal that Greek Cypriots stubbornly dismiss as a non-starter.
Speaking ahead of a military parade to mark the 50th anniversary of a Turkish invasion that split the island along ethnic lines, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ruled out a peace deal based on a United Nations-endorsed plan for federation.
Although Erdogan has previously rejected the federation plan, Greece and the Greek Cypriots had hoped he would soften his position.
The anniversary is a festive occasion for Turkish Cypriots in the island’s northern third, who view the invasion as salvation from the Greek-speaking majority’s domination. The invasion followed a coup that aimed at a union with Greece, which was backed by the Junta then ruling in Athens.
In the south, the howl of air raid sirens at daybreak began a solemn day marking what Greek Cypriots remember as a catastrophe that left thousands of people dead or missing and displaced a quarter of the Greek Cypriot population.
Erdogan’s remarks may further complicate U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ effort to get both sides back to the negotiating table, whose personal envoy Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar has spent the last six months scoping both sides out.
“We will continue to fight with determination for the recognition of the (breakaway Turkish Cypriot state) TRNC and the implementation of a two-state solution,” Erdogan told throngs of Turkish Cypriots lining the parade route in scorching heat in the northern capital of Nicosia.
“A federal solution in Cyprus is not possible, this is what we believe … The Turkish Cypriot side, as equals with the Greek side, are willing to negotiate and are ready to sit down and negotiate. If you want a solution, you need to recognize the rights of Turkish Cypriots.”
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar reiterated that Turkish Cypriots reject “domination” by the Greek Cypriot majority and seek “equal national status” for their breakaway state they unilaterally declared in 1983, which is only recognized by Turkey. He added that there’s now “no common ground” for a return to peace negotiations.
Referring to a recent resolution in the Ankara parliament calling for a two-state solution, Tatar said it “will help us and our cause incredibly.”
The island’s Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides urged Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots to re-engage in reunification talks if Ankara genuinely seeks regional security and stability and to nudge closer to the European Union.
After numerous failed rounds peace negotiations, many Cypriots on both sides — although jaded — still hold out a glimmer of hope for a peace deal.
Greek Cypriot commemorations include the unveiling of memorials to fallen heroes, church services and a gathering late Saturday at the Presidential Palace addressed — for the first time — by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Erdogan earlier presided over “golden jubilee” events, replete with a visit by Turkey’s first amphibious assault ship to carry the country’s potent Bayraktar drones, and an airshow.
The European Union, which Cyprus joined in 2004, urged both sides to show “genuine commitment” to a peace deal in line with U.N. resolutions.
“Too much time has been lost,” an EU spokesperson said. “A forced division can never be a solution. Hope for a better future, a united Cyprus, still exists.”
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AP writer Andrew Wilks in Istanbul contributed.