03:04Mandatory credit: Turkish Presidency
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the 'realisation of a two-state solution' in Northern Cyprus during his visit to North Nicosia on Saturday.
"Neither will we allow fait accompli, nor will the Turkish Cypriot people submit to threats. It is not possible to ignore the Turkish Cypriots, the ancient and essential element of the island," Erdogan said in an address to the public.
"We resolutely continue our efforts for the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the realisation of a two-state solution," he continued.
The president's visit came during the 50th anniversary of the 1974 war -which led to the division of Cyprus.
During his address to the public, Erdogan was joined by President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar.
For his part, Tatar crticised Cyprus, stating "Greek Cypriot Cyprus, which feels the assurance of the EU behind it, does not favour any agreement and increases its rhetoric in order to turn the Turkish Cypriots into a minority on the island of Cyprus and to make them dependent on itself."
Cyprus has been marred in a long-standing dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Turkey advocates a two-state solution on the island based on sovereign equality and equal international status for both states.
Greece and Turkey have held long-term disputes regarding the sovereignty over some areas in the Aegean sea, leading Greece to elevate the conflict to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.uring
Turkey's Erdogan calls for 'realisation of a two-state solution' in Northern Cyprus during 50th anniversary of 1974 war
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the 'realisation of a two-state solution' in Northern Cyprus during his visit to North Nicosia on Saturday.
"Neither will we allow fait accompli, nor will the Turkish Cypriot people submit to threats. It is not possible to ignore the Turkish Cypriots, the ancient and essential element of the island," Erdogan said in an address to the public.
"We resolutely continue our efforts for the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the realisation of a two-state solution," he continued.
The president's visit came during the 50th anniversary of the 1974 war -which led to the division of Cyprus.
During his address to the public, Erdogan was joined by President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar.
For his part, Tatar crticised Cyprus, stating "Greek Cypriot Cyprus, which feels the assurance of the EU behind it, does not favour any agreement and increases its rhetoric in order to turn the Turkish Cypriots into a minority on the island of Cyprus and to make them dependent on itself."
Cyprus has been marred in a long-standing dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Turkey advocates a two-state solution on the island based on sovereign equality and equal international status for both states.
Greece and Turkey have held long-term disputes regarding the sovereignty over some areas in the Aegean sea, leading Greece to elevate the conflict to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.uring
Mandatory credit: Turkish Presidency
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the 'realisation of a two-state solution' in Northern Cyprus during his visit to North Nicosia on Saturday.
"Neither will we allow fait accompli, nor will the Turkish Cypriot people submit to threats. It is not possible to ignore the Turkish Cypriots, the ancient and essential element of the island," Erdogan said in an address to the public.
"We resolutely continue our efforts for the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the realisation of a two-state solution," he continued.
The president's visit came during the 50th anniversary of the 1974 war -which led to the division of Cyprus.
During his address to the public, Erdogan was joined by President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar.
For his part, Tatar crticised Cyprus, stating "Greek Cypriot Cyprus, which feels the assurance of the EU behind it, does not favour any agreement and increases its rhetoric in order to turn the Turkish Cypriots into a minority on the island of Cyprus and to make them dependent on itself."
Cyprus has been marred in a long-standing dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Turkey advocates a two-state solution on the island based on sovereign equality and equal international status for both states.
Greece and Turkey have held long-term disputes regarding the sovereignty over some areas in the Aegean sea, leading Greece to elevate the conflict to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.uring