Turkey says backs continued Cyprus peace talks, warns Greek Cypriots

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Tuesday that Turkey wants UN-backed reunification talks on Cyprus to continue but warned that this round of negotiations was the last chance for Greek Cypriots to reach a deal.

“The Turkish Cypriot side has, with full sincerity, acted constructively,” Yildirim told a joint news conference with the head of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state, Huseyin Ozgurgun.

“This is the last chance for the Greek Cypriot side, which has always acted as the game spoiler. We recommend they use this chance wisely,” Yildirim added.

Only Turkey recognizes Ozgurgun’s administration. The international community regards the Greek Cypriot government in the south of the island as the legitimate authority for the whole island, which has been split along ethnic lines since a Turkish invasion in 1974.

[Reuters]