Incumbent Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar leads challenger and opposition party CTP leader Tufan Erhurman by 1.7 per cent in the latest poll to ask Turkish Cypriots who they will vote for at October’s leadership election.

Fidan spoke to reporters after talks with Ersin Tatar, leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots whose declaration of independence in 1983 in Cyprus’ northern third is recognized only by Turkey.

Turkish embassies across the world will now provide consular services to Turkish Cypriots, following the ratification of a agreement between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot authorities by the Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee.

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — A meeting between the two leaders in ethnically divided Cyprus ended without an agreement on Monday, with both sides failing to reach a decision on a deal aimed at building trust that included opening new crossing points across a U.N.-controlled buffer zone.

Greece and Turkey are awaiting the first actions of the new American president. Negative messages are coming from the Turkish side, which is now focusing on Syria, while constantly escalating tensions

Turkey on Wednesday again insisted on a two-state peace accord in ethnically divided Cyprus as the United Nations prepares to meet with all sides in early spring in hopes of restarting formal talks to resolve one of the world's most intractable conflicts.

If one thing was made clear by Monday’s meeting of the two leaders it was that neither possesses the political will, mettle or flexibility that would give the stagnant process a small push forward. They see every attempt at reaching an agreement,

Rival Cypriot leaders met Monday to discuss opening more crossing points across the divided island, the United Nations said, as part of trust-building efforts to revive stalled peace talks.

Turkey insists on a two-state solution for Cyprus as renewed UN talks loom, raising tensions between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The UN and EU advocate for a federation instead. Talks collapsed in 2017 primarily over military presence on the island.

President Ersin Tatar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a joint press conference during Fidan’s visit to the TRNC. Addressing the Cyprus issue, Tatar emphasized that the idea of a “federation solution” ended with the 2004 referendum,

U.N. Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Colin Stewart, center, Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides, left, and the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar talk as they attend the U.N.'

President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar are to meet on Monday at the residence of UN Secretary General’s Special Representative Colin Stewart to discuss the opening of new crossing points.