There is no such people as Cypriot, you are either Turkish or Greek

Cyprus President Ersin Tatar, on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly meeting, was interviewed by AA correspondent in New York.

Tatar said that "Turkish Cypriots are a separate people", adding that "in Cyprus, either you are a Turk or a Greek. It's been that way and it will continue to be that way.

He also claimed that talks are ongoing with various countries about direct flights to Ercan airport and expressed confidence that the Republic of Cyprus would not like it if the UK allowed direct flights to northern Cyprus.

He stressed that direct flights can only be allowed with the consent of the Cyprus Republic, but they are not very interested in this as it would mean recognizing its power.