Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar said they will never abandon efforts for a two-state solution nor the opening of Varosha, as the breakaway state in the north prepared to welcome Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.

In a written statement on Sunday evening, Tatar criticised Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriot parties that have decided to boycott a speech by Erdogan scheduled for Monday afternoon.

“The Greek Cypriot leadership is giving them a standing ovation, it extols them and urges them to hold a joint struggle,” Tatar said. “Their real aim is to sever our secure bonds with the motherland, Turkey, to isolate our people, and impose the solution they want.”

He said the Turkish Cypriots knew well who they were and would not allow the attacks and provocations.

On the 47th anniversary of the invasion, he added, Turkish Cypriots will embrace Turkey tighter, and will continue on the path they have drawn with the strength provided by Ankara.

Tatar said efforts to prevent opening Varosha were an exercise in futility.

“We will never abandon the initiative on fenced-off Varosha, nor our proposal on a solution based on two equal, sovereign states,” he said.