Turkish president dampens hopes for restarting talks on Cyprus’ 50-year ethnic split

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Turkey’s president on Saturday put a damper on hopes for a quick resumption of talks to heal a half-century of ethnic division on Cyprus after reaffirming his support for a two-state deal that Greek Cypriots stubbornly dismiss as a non-starter.

Speaking ahead of a military parade to mark the 50th anniversary of a Turkish invasion that split the island along ethnic lines, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ruled out a peace deal based on a United Nations-endorsed plan for federation.