Turkey eyeing Cyprus’ natural resources

Ahead of the informal five-party conference on the Cyprus issue early next month, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stressed Tuesday that the most important issue is the way in which the island's natural resources are shared, unveiling Ankara's ultimate goals in the region.

"If in Cyprus we manage to find a way to share revenues (natural wealth), then we will have solved 50% of the Eastern Mediterranean issue," he said after meeting Turkish-Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus. 

In a joint press conference with Tatar, Cavusoglu also reiterated Ankara's support for a two-state solution, as opposed to a bicommunal federal solution which has formed the basis of negotiations for the island's reunification for more than four decades. 

"The federal solution has been negotiated for 52 whole years. Each time the negotiations led to...