Turkish Cypriot leader: 2016 peace deal still possible
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, left, speaks with Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, right, next to Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide, 2nd right, and Elizabeth Spehar, Deputy to the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, 2nd left, during the Cyprus Talks, in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP) (The Associated Press)
The leader of the breakaway Turkish side says he's hopeful a deal reunifying ethnically divided Cyprus can still be achieved this year, despite a failure to agree on how much territory Greek and Turkish Cypriots will control in an envisioned federation.
Mustafa Akinci accused negotiators from the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot side of making unfair demands for territory from the Turkish Cypriots.
Akinci said Tuesday he respects the rights of the Greek Cypriots, but that he didn't go to Switzerland to surrender the rights of Turkish Cypriots.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Two days intensive talks at the Swiss resort of Mont Pelerin ended in deadlock late Monday. No date for the resumption of talks has been set.
Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece.