Government rejects Straw's two-state Cyprus solution

Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has led celebrations of the anniversary of his country's intervention 50 years ago, which left the island of Cyprus split in two.

- DAVID MADDOX

Thousands of mostly Muslim Turkish Cypriots in the north of the island joined their president Ersin Tatar and Mr Erdogan to watch a "peace parade" of tanks, soldiers, jets and military vehicles, followed by an air performance carried out by the Turkish Stars (the Turkish version of the Red Arrows) yesterday.

But while there have been celebrations in the north, Greek Cypriots in the south of the island have approached the anniversary in a much more sombre mood, with many on both sides having lost their homes and land as well as family members to the conflict five decades ago.

It comes as former Labour foreign secretary Jack Straw, writing yesterday in The Independent, accused the recognised [Greek] Cypriot government on the island of being "happy with the status quo" and demanded that the United Nations, the European Union, and the UK, as a guarantor power, propose a two-state solution to force an end to the 50-year crisis.

Newly appointed Europe minister Stephen Doughty has, though, stuck with UK foreign policy - that the island needs to come back together in a federal structure that recognises both communities. This is the solution the UK attempted to create in the 1960s when it withdrew as the colonial power, only holding on to its two key military bases.

The presence of what are two highly important bases for the UK, facing out onto the Middle East, have made the Cyprus crisis a critical issue and one that is difficult to navigate diplomatically.

In a tweet, Mr Doughty said: "For too long now, the people of Cyprus have been divided. On the 50th anniversary of the events of 1974, the UK restates its commitment to a lasting, comprehensive and just settlement which benefits all Cypriots, within the UN parameters of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality.

"We urge all sides to show openness, flexibility and compromise, and to engage with UN-led efforts to reach a settlement."