LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday spoke of his optimism for the future of Cyprus as talks between Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders look increasingly positive.
"I think this opportunity should not been missed," Erdogan told a news conference held with Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akinci in Lefkosa.
Erdogan is visiting Northern Cyprus to attend commemorations on Peace and Freedom Day, which marks Turkey's 1974 intervention in Cyprus following a Greek coup. Since then, the island has been divided between the Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish Cypriot northern third.
"This day is the proudest day in Turkish Cypriots' struggle to live freely and continue as equal owners of the island," he said during a commemoration speech at the city’s Ataturk Monument.
The two sides resumed reunification talks following Akinci’s election in April after previous negotiations stalled in a row over mineral exploration.
"I hope, these efforts will continue with resolve to put an end to the issue, when both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides get a fair result principally based on political equality," Erdogan said, adding that it remained a priority for Turkey to reach a “fair and permanent solution”.
He also reiterated Turkey's support for Turkish Cypriots and said Ankara would strive to modernize Northern Cyprus.
Erdogan said a planned water project to provide water to Northern Cyprus from Turkey would be “solved soon” and pointed to the increasing numbers of tourists and students visiting the country as a sign of its growing reputation.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which declared its independence in 1983, is only recognized by Turkey while the Greek Cypriot administration is an EU member with a seat in the UN.
The land border between the two territories was opened in 2003 and visa restrictions subsequently eased.
