Turkey wants permanent, fair solution on Cyprus issue

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey wants a permanent and fair solution in the long-standing Cyprus issue.

Erdogan said Turkey "sweated and continues to sweat every effort" to find a fair and permanent solution to the Cyprus issue, during a news conference with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' President Mustafa Akinci late Wednesday.

"These efforts aim to establish a partnership with two equal communities that can live in the island, within the scope of UN parameters" Erdogan said.

It is "obligatory" for Turkey to solve the Cyprus issue by providing "political equality" for Turkish Cypriot side and providing security and rights of the people, he said.

"Resolving the issue will contribute to the region's security, stability and prosperity," Erdogan added.

Reunification talks between the Greek and Turkish communities on the island resumed in May 2015 and are expected to be resolved by the end of this year with the formation of a federal administration.

Previous negotiations stalled in October 2014 due to a dispute over gas exploration.

The eastern Mediterranean island was divided into a Turkish Cypriot state in the north and a Greek Cypriot administration in the south after a 1974 military coup was followed by the intervention of Turkey as a guarantor power.

Turing to the Fetullah Gulen Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its leader, Fetullah Gulen, Erdogn said the group was recognized as a terrorist organization by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on July 21 and said FETO and its extensions "cannot find a way to live" in the TRNC.

"We hope this attitude will be seen as an example by other friendly countries," Erdogan said.

Ankara accuses Gulen of masterminding the failed coup and has sent the U.S. two official requests for his extradition to face trial.

Gulen has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since 1999.

The coup attempt left 240 martyrs in its wake and nearly 2,200 others injured.

Akinci said Turkish Cypriots want a deal that will provide the fundaments of any nation.

"There will be a total of seven meetings between Aug. 23 and Sept 14. Feeling Turkey's supports gives us power. We will continue our way with your support," Akinci said. "Hope we can achieve an agreement that includes three fundamental elements: Equality, freedom and security,” he said.

Akinci also hailed Erdogan for standing against the July 15 coup bid.

"You showed a great example of leadership that night. We all saw that. Your leadership triggered a true patriotism of Turkish people," Akinci told the Turkish leader.