5 yıl önce

Cyprus negotiations unlikely to resume

The last round of Cyprus' reunification talks broke down a year and a half ago and locals say the islands will not unify ever again.

AFP

This picture taken on February 2, 2019 shows a view of the Kyrenia mountain range north of the divided Cypriot capital Nicosia, with the flags of Turkey (L) and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), seen painted on the mountain next to a quote by Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, reading in Turkish: "Happy are they who call themselves a Turk."

It's a year and a half since reunification talks broke down between Turkish and Greek Cypriots but negotiations to find a solution look unlikely to resume.

"It hasn't ended for 60 years and it still won't. Greek Cypriots want something different from us. It won't end," said Sabri Umay who owns a souvenir shop in the city of Gazimagusa.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by violence against the island's Turks prompting Ankara to intervene as a guarantor power.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which was declared on November 15, 1983, is currently recognised only by Turkey as an independent state while Greek Cyprus is an EU member state since 2004.

Numerous rounds of negotiations over more than four decades have failed to reunify the island.

TRT World's Andrew Hopkins reports from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.