Nicos Anastasiades, the president of Cyprus, said Wednesday that Turkey’s president questioning the legitimacy of the Cypriot flag was âunacceptable,” Greek media reported.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄan said Tuesday that Greek Cypriots use the flag â which depicts the entire island with two olive branches below â at European Council summits âwithout shame.â
ErdoÄan, who called the Greek Cypriots ârude,” said “you can’t have a flag like that” while there is a Turkish-Cypriot state on the island. The breakaway state in the north is recognized only by Turkey. Anastasiadesâ government is recognized around the world except in Turkey.
Anastasiades said ErdoÄan’s comments were âundermining the climate of trustâ at a crucial phase of negotiations to reunite the island.
Leaders from both sides hit an impasse last week after two days of talks in Switzerland. They both returned home and said they would “reflect on the way forward.”