Erdogan doesn’t rule out Cyprus peace talks restart, but sticks to two-state stance

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday didn't rule out reviving deadlocked negotiations to resolve Cyprus' nearly 50-year ethnic division, but again rejected any deal that wouldn't offer Turkish Cypriots a state of their own.

Τhat position stands against a United Nations-sanctioned framework envisioning a federated island nation.

Speaking at celebrations in the occupied north part of Cyprus on the 49th anniversary of a Turkish invasion that split the island along ethnic lines, Erdogan again poured cold water on Greek Cypriot hopes of forming a federation composed of Greek and Turkish speaking zones as has been the aim of talks for decades.

"Everyone needs to understand now that a federal solution is not possible," Erdogan said.

He said that Turkey does not oppose fresh talks, but that negotiations cannot restart without recognizing the ...