Turkish Cypriot President Tatar says official talks on future of Cyprus meaningless without recognition of equality of both sides as sovereign states, with Greek Cypriots wanting a bizonal, bi-communal federation with political equality.
At the UN-led meeting, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says Ankara supports a two-state solution to the island with a sustainable settlement only achievable based on ground realities.
Former British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also urged London to open direct flights from the UK to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as a step towards normalisation.
It would be pointless to keep rehashing the idea of a federated Cyprus made up of two separate zones, which has failed to produce any results over a half century of negotiations, Turkey's top diplomat says.
Turkish presidential spokesman said that US President-elect Biden "knows Turkey," including its political actors and landscape.
Turkish President Erdogan says issues pertaining to continental shelves and rights to energy resources in eastern Mediterranean will only be resolved through a dialogue including all stakeholders.
Unofficial results show incumbent Mustafa Akinci and right-wing candidate Ersin Tatar trading the lead several times, but neither getting required majority to win outright.
Also responding to Washington's decision, TRNC President Mustafa Akinci says it "was not a step in the right direction."
The EU's sanctions coupled with the international community's endorsement of Greek Cypriot unilateralism dims the hopes for 'gas-for-peace'.
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar made clear that Turkey will not sit and watch without doing anything, while others drill for oil and gas.
Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay says Greek Cypriot side is abusing its EU membership to stop Turkey's drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean.
Ankara and the EU are at loggerheads over who has the right to explore newly-discovered gas fields.
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