Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (middle left) gestures as he stands subsequent to Turkish Cypriot chief Ersin Tatar (middle) throughout celebrations marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on July 20, 2024 in occupied Northern Nicosia, Cyprus. | Photograph credit score: Getty Pictures
Turkey’s president on July 20 dashed hopes for a fast resumption of talks to beat half a century of ethnic division in Cyprus, reaffirming his help for a two-state deal that Greek Cypriots dismiss as not possible.
Talking forward of a navy parade to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Turkish invasion that divided the island alongside ethnic traces, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dominated out a peace deal primarily based on a United Nations-backed federation plan.
Though Erdogan had beforehand rejected the federation plan, Greece and Greek Cypriots had hoped he would soften his place.
The anniversary is a festive event for Turkish Cypriots within the northern third of the island, who see the invasion as a salvation from the domination of the Greek-speaking majority. The invasion adopted a coup aimed toward union with Greece, which was supported by the junta then ruling in Athens.
Within the south, the wail of air raid sirens at daybreak ushered in a solemn day marking what Greek Cypriots keep in mind as a disaster that left hundreds useless or lacking and displaced 1 / 4 of the Greek Cypriot inhabitants.
Erdogan’s remarks might additional complicate UN Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres’ efforts to convey the 2 sides again to the negotiating desk. His private envoy, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, has spent the previous six months assessing each side.
“We are going to proceed to struggle resolutely for the popularity of the TRNC (the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state) and the implementation of a two-state resolution,” Erdogan advised crowds of Turkish Cypriots lining the parade route in scorching warmth within the northern half of the divided capital, Nicosia.
“We imagine {that a} federal resolution isn’t doable in Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriot facet, on equal phrases with the Greek facet, is able to negotiate and is able to sit down for negotiations. If an answer is to be discovered, the rights of the Turkish Cypriots should be recognised.”
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Turkish Cypriot chief Ersin Tatar reiterated that Turkish Cypriots reject the “domination” of the Greek Cypriot majority and search an “equal nationwide standing” for the breakaway state they unilaterally declared in 1983 and which is barely recognised by Turkey. He added that there’s now “no frequent floor” for returning to peace negotiations.
Referring to a current decision by the Ankara parliament calling for a two-state resolution, Mr Tatar mentioned it “will assist us and our trigger extremely”.
The island’s Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides has urged Turkey and Turkish Cypriots to renew reunification talks if Ankara is critical about regional safety and stability and shifting nearer to the European Union.
After quite a few failed rounds of peace talks, many Cypriots on each side, although weary, nonetheless maintain out a glimmer of hope {that a} peace deal can be reached.
Greek Cypriot commemorations embody the disclosing of monuments to fallen heroes, spiritual providers and a late-night assembly on 20 July on the Presidential Palace, addressed for the primary time by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Mr Erdogan beforehand presided over “golden jubilee” occasions, replete with a go to by Turkey’s first amphibious assault ship carrying the nation’s highly effective Bayraktar drones, and an air present.
The European Union, which Cyprus joined in 2004, urged each side to indicate “real dedication” to a peace deal in step with UN resolutions.
“An excessive amount of time has been misplaced,” mentioned an EU spokesman. “A pressured division can by no means be an answer. There’s nonetheless hope for a greater future, for a united Cyprus.”
