Erdoğan pushes for recognition of Northern Cyprus and opens consulate in disputed city.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for international recognition of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus during his first foreign visit since his re-election. Erdogan defended a two-state solution in Cyprus, which has been divided since Turkey's 1974 invasion of the northern part. Northern Cyprus' existence is only recognized by Ankara, whereas the European Union considers the whole of the island as part of the EU. Negotiations on a settlement of the two-state solution have stalled since 2017.