Erdogan draws the line for Cyprus: Unity or split

“The divided island must be united by the end of the year or remain split,” said Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday, drawing a hard line on the long-standing Cyprus issue. “The Turkish Cypriot side is working for peace and solutions against all injustices. It’s not bearable anymore,” said Erdogan, warning that the current window of opportunity on Cyprus will not always be open. He has accused Greek Cypriots of blocking talks and warned that time is running out. Erdogan called for Cyprus to be reunited as a two-zone federation, something to which both sides have agreed in principle. “They remain at odds, however, over implementation issue. An urgent and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem should not be sacrificed for daily political interests and poisonous prejudices,” Erdogan added during a ceremony in Turkish Cyprus for Peace and Freedom Day. The ceremony marks the anniversary of Turkey’s 1974 intervention.