Turkish threats over Cyprus EU presidency

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Ankara will not negotiate with Cyprus if it assumes the European Union?s rotating presidency before a settlement is reached to reunify the divided island.

Erdogan said on Saturday that Turkey will not deal with a ?so-called country,? adding that Turkey would ?retaliate even more strongly? if Cyprus continues its search for oil and gas in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey has already dispatched vessels to the area.