Erdogan Calls for Two-state Solution on Cyprus

ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ruled out a reunification of Cyprus and is calling for a two-state solution, a move that threatens to escalate tensions in the eastern Mediterranean. The Turkish leader made the comments while attending commemorations marking the 1974 Turkish invasion of the now-divided island.

Turkish Cypriots on Tuesday celebrated the 47th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus, prompted by a Greek-inspired coup on the island. Despite ongoing reunification efforts by the United Nations, the island has remained divided between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.  Erdogan, speaking at the commemorations, blamed Greek Cypriots for the failed reunification effort and called for a new approach. He said a new negotiation process on Cyprus can only be carried out between the two states, adding, that first, the Turkish Cypriots' sovereign equality and equal status should be confirmed, which he said is the key to the solution.