Fidan spoke to reporters after talks with Ersin Tatar, leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots whose declaration of independence in 1983 in Cyprus’ northern third is recognized only by Turkey.

United Nations under-secretary-general for peacebuilding Rosemary DiCarlo will meet Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on February 10, Tatar’s office announced on Thursday. DiCarlo’s meeting with Tatar is the first date to be announced of her forthcoming trip to Cyprus,

Cyprus’ first Vice President Dr Fazil Kucuk and his successor Rauf Denktash, who went on to serve as Turkish Cypriot leader for over three decades, were remembered at ceremonies in the north on the anniversaries of their deaths.

Turkey on Wednesday again insisted on a two-state peace accord in ethnically divided Cyprus as the United Nations prepares to meet with all sides in early spring in hopes of restarting formal talks to resolve one of the world's most intractable conflicts.

Turkey insists on a two-state solution for Cyprus as renewed UN talks loom, raising tensions between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The UN and EU advocate for a federation instead. Talks collapsed in 2017 primarily over military presence on the island.

President Ersin Tatar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a joint press conference during Fidan’s visit to the TRNC. Addressing the Cyprus issue, Tatar emphasized that the idea of a “federation solution” ended with the 2004 referendum,

U.N. Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Colin Stewart, center, Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides, left, and the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar talk as they attend the U.N.'

Turkish Cypriot foreign ministry denounces outgoing Joe Biden’s decree on military sales to Greek Cyprus, warning the move is provocative of