Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and maintains more than 35,000 troops in the north. Akinci called Anastasiades' response an "unnecessary overreaction," adding that he would continue to meet with world leaders in hopes of nudging peace talks. Both leaders say the yearlong talks have made much progress in reunifying the island as a federation, but difficulties remain. Cyprus has been split into an internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north since 1974 when Turkey invaded in the wake of a 1974 coup aimed at union with Greece split Cyprus. Anastasiades called off a scheduled meeting with Akinci a week ago when Akinci the Turkish Cypriot leader appeared at a heads of state dinner during a May 23 United Nations-sponsored summit in Istanbul.

Source: ABC News June 02, 2016 12:34 UTC