TURKISH President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dampened hopes for a quick resumption of talks to heal a half-century of ethnic division in Cyprus on Saturday, reaffirming his support for a two-state deal that Greek Cypriots dismiss as a non-starter.

The president ruled out a peace deal based on a UN-endorsed plan for federation, speaking ahead of a military parade to mark the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion that split the island along ethnic lines.

“We will continue to fight with determination for the recognition of the [breakaway Turkish Cypriot state] TRNC and the implementation of a two-state solution,” Mr Erdogan told throngs of Turkish Cypriots lining the parade route in scorching heat in the northern half of the divided capital, Nicosia.

The island’s Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said he remains committed to resuming peace talks to reunify the island as a federation, despite obstacles or even “threats” from Mr Erdogan.

Although Mr Erdogan has previously rejected the federation plan, Greece and the Greek Cypriots had hoped he would soften his position.

The anniversary of the war is a festive occasion for Turkish Cypriots in the island’s northern third, who view the invasion as salvation from the Greek-speaking majority.

The invasion followed a coup aimed at a union with Greece, backed by the Western-backed junta then ruling in Athens.

The EU, which Cyprus joined in 2004, urged both sides to show “genuine commitment” to a peace deal in line with UN resolutions.

“Too much time has been lost,” an EU spokesperson said. “A forced division can never be a solution. Hope for a better future, a united Cyprus, still exists.”