NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Turkey's president on Saturday put a damper on hopes for a quick resumption of talks to heal a half-century of ethnic division on Cyprus, reaffirming his support for a two-state deal that Greek Cypriots dismiss as a non-starter.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ruled out a peace deal based on a United Nations-endorsed plan for federation, speaking ahead of a military parade to mark the 50th anniversary of a Turkish invasion that split the island along ethnic lines.
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Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides, right, with his wife Philippa Karsera, second left, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, center, his wife Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotakis, left, and Cypriot Deputy minister of culture Vasiliki Kasianidou, center right, look an art work "NEMATA" showing the Cyprus island, at the presidential palace in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Greek Cypriot commemorations include the unveiling of memorials to fallen heroes, church services and a gathering late Saturday at the Presidential Palace addressed — for the first time — by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Loucas Alexandrou, 94, seats by the grave, right, of his son Christakis Alexandrou, Alexandrides, who where killed on 22 of July 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Loucas Alexandrou, 94, seats by the grave, right, of his son Christakis Alexandrou, Alexandrides, who where killed on 22 of July 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Loucas Alexandrou, 94, and his younger son Vassos Alexandrou, 61, right, are seen by the grave of his son, and brother, of Christakis Alexandrou, Alexandrides, who was killed on July 22, 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Turkey's president on Saturday put a damper on hopes for a quick resumption of talks to heal a half-century of ethnic division on Cyprus, reaffirming his support for a two-state deal that Greek Cypriots dismiss as a non-starter.
Turkish Women and a kid walk in front of a poster of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides, right, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis talk during their meeting in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Greek Cypriot commemorations include the unveiling of memorials to fallen heroes, church services and a gathering late Saturday at the Presidential Palace addressed — for the first time — by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides, right, with his wife Philippa Karsera, second left, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, center, his wife Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotakis, left, and Cypriot Deputy minister of culture Vasiliki Kasianidou, center right, look an art work "NEMATA" showing the Cyprus island, at the presidential palace in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Greek Cypriot commemorations include the unveiling of memorials to fallen heroes, church services and a gathering late Saturday at the Presidential Palace addressed — for the first time — by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides talks during an event marking the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion on 1974, at the Presidential palace in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Greek Cypriot commemorations include the unveiling of memorials to fallen heroes, church services and a gathering late Saturday at the Presidential Palace addressed — for the first time — by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis talks during an event marking the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion on 1974, at the Presidential palace in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Greek Cypriot commemorations include the unveiling of memorials to fallen heroes, church services and a gathering late Saturday at the Presidential Palace addressed — for the first time — by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkey's acrobatic aircrafts fly over the military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkish military helicopters fly over the military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkey's acrobatic aircrafts fly over the military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A Turkish parachuter prepares for a landing as fly over the military parade with a Turkish flag and portrait of the Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, during a military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. The tinny howl of air raid sirens echoed across ethnically divided Cyprus at the crack of dawn on Saturday, marking 50 years from the day that changed the island nation's history. It's heard every year as the Greek Cypriot controlled south laments the date Turkish troops invaded in the wake of a coup by supporters of union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkey's acrobatic aircrafts fly over the military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkey's acrobatic aircrafts fly over the military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkish military helicopters fly over the military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, and Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, rear right, talk with a woman after the end of a military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Today marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Cyprus President Nicos Christodoulides attending the memorial service for the soldiers, killed during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, in the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery during the 50th anniversary in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
A relative of a soldier, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, stands front of his grave in the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery during the 50th anniversary in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
A woman leaves flowers on the graves of soldiers, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion in Cyprus, at the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery in the divided capital of Nicosia Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
A relative of a soldier, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, lights a candle at a grave in the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery during the 50th anniversary in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
A girl leaves flowers on the graves of soldiers, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion, in Cyprus at the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery in the divided capital of Nicosia Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
A relative of a soldier, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, lights a candle at a grave in the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery during the 50th anniversary in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
A woman touches the photo at the grave of her relative, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, in the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery during the 50th anniversary in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
A woman touches a photo at the grave of her relative, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, in the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery during the 50th anniversary in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
Cyprus President, second left, Nicos Christodoulides attends the memorial service for the soldiers, killed during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, in the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery during the 50th anniversary in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
Loucas Alexandrou, 94, seats by the grave, right, of his son Christakis Alexandrou, Alexandrides, who where killed on 22 of July 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Loucas Alexandrou, 94, seats by the grave of his son Christakis Alexandrou, Alexandrides, who where killed on 22 of July 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Loucas Alexandrou, 94, seats by the grave, right, of his son Christakis Alexandrou, Alexandrides, who where killed on 22 of July 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Graves of Greek and Greek Cypriot soldiers who were killed on 1974 during the Turkish invasion, are seen at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Graves of Greek and Greek Cypriot soldiers who were killed on 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Graves of Greek and Greek Cypriot soldiers who were killed on 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Loucas Alexandrou, 94, and his younger son Vassos Alexandrou, 61, right, are seen by the grave of his son, and brother, of Christakis Alexandrou, Alexandrides, who was killed on July 22, 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Loucas Alexandrou, 94, sits by the grave of his son Christakis Alexandrou, Alexandrides, who where killed on 22 of July 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Although Erdogan has previously rejected the federation plan, Greece and the Greek Cypriots had hoped he would soften his position.
The anniversary is a festive occasion for Turkish Cypriots in the island's northern third, who view the invasion as salvation from the Greek-speaking majority's domination. The invasion followed a coup that aimed at a union with Greece, which was backed by the junta then ruling in Athens.
In the south, the howl of air raid sirens at daybreak began a solemn day marking what Greek Cypriots remember as a catastrophe that left thousands of people dead or missing and displaced a quarter of the Greek Cypriot population.
Erdogan’s remarks may further complicate U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ effort to get both sides back to the negotiating table. His personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, has spent the past six months scoping both sides out.
“We will continue to fight with determination for the recognition of the TRNC (breakaway Turkish Cypriot state) and the implementation of a two-state solution," Erdogan told throngs of Turkish Cypriots lining the parade route in scorching heat in the northern half of the divided capital, Nicosia.
“A federal solution in Cyprus is not possible, this is what we believe," Erdogan said. "The Turkish Cypriot side, as equals with the Greek side, are willing to negotiate and are ready to sit down and negotiate. If you want a solution, you need to recognize the rights of Turkish Cypriots."
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar said Turkish Cypriots reject “domination” by the Greek Cypriot majority and seek “equal national status” for their breakaway state they unilaterally declared in 1983, which is only recognized by Turkey. He added that there's now “no common ground” for a return to peace negotiations.
Referring to a recent resolution in the Ankara parliament calling for a two-state solution, Tatar said it “will help us and our cause incredibly.”
The island's Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said he remains committed to resuming peace talks to reunify the island as a federation, despite obstacles or even “threats” from Erdogan.
But Christodoulides said he wouldn’t sign up to any agreement that either foresees a two-state arrangement or is unworkable and doesn’t guarantee rights afforded to any other European Union citizen.
Speaking at the same event, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said there's no other option than to resume talks, an assessment he said was shared by the U.N. chief.
“One who isn’t in the right and has no arguments to make evades dialogue,” Mitsotakis said.
After numerous failed rounds of peace negotiations, many Cypriots on both sides — although jaded — still hold out a glimmer of hope for a peace deal.
Apart from the evening event at the Presidential Palace, the Greek Cypriot commemorations also included the unveiling of memorials to fallen heroes and church services.
Erdogan earlier presided over “golden jubilee” events, replete with a visit by Turkey’s first amphibious assault ship to carry the country’s potent Bayraktar drones, and an airshow.
The EU, which Cyprus joined in 2004, urged both sides to show “genuine commitment” to a peace deal in line with U.N. resolutions.
“Too much time has been lost,” an EU spokesperson said. “A forced division can never be a solution. Hope for a better future, a united Cyprus, still exists.”
AP writer Andrew Wilks in Istanbul contributed.
Turkish soldiers take part in a military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkish Women and a kid walk in front of a poster of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides, right, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis talk during their meeting in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Greek Cypriot commemorations include the unveiling of memorials to fallen heroes, church services and a gathering late Saturday at the Presidential Palace addressed — for the first time — by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides, right, with his wife Philippa Karsera, second left, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, center, his wife Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotakis, left, and Cypriot Deputy minister of culture Vasiliki Kasianidou, center right, look an art work "NEMATA" showing the Cyprus island, at the presidential palace in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Greek Cypriot commemorations include the unveiling of memorials to fallen heroes, church services and a gathering late Saturday at the Presidential Palace addressed — for the first time — by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides talks during an event marking the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion on 1974, at the Presidential palace in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Greek Cypriot commemorations include the unveiling of memorials to fallen heroes, church services and a gathering late Saturday at the Presidential Palace addressed — for the first time — by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis talks during an event marking the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion on 1974, at the Presidential palace in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Greek Cypriot commemorations include the unveiling of memorials to fallen heroes, church services and a gathering late Saturday at the Presidential Palace addressed — for the first time — by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkey's acrobatic aircrafts fly over the military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkish military helicopters fly over the military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkey's acrobatic aircrafts fly over the military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A Turkish parachuter prepares for a landing as fly over the military parade with a Turkish flag and portrait of the Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, during a military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. The tinny howl of air raid sirens echoed across ethnically divided Cyprus at the crack of dawn on Saturday, marking 50 years from the day that changed the island nation's history. It's heard every year as the Greek Cypriot controlled south laments the date Turkish troops invaded in the wake of a coup by supporters of union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkey's acrobatic aircrafts fly over the military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkey's acrobatic aircrafts fly over the military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkish military helicopters fly over the military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, and Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, rear right, talk with a woman after the end of a military parade, in the Turkish occupied area of the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Today marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Cyprus President Nicos Christodoulides attending the memorial service for the soldiers, killed during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, in the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery during the 50th anniversary in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
A relative of a soldier, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, stands front of his grave in the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery during the 50th anniversary in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
A woman leaves flowers on the graves of soldiers, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion in Cyprus, at the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery in the divided capital of Nicosia Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
A relative of a soldier, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, lights a candle at a grave in the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery during the 50th anniversary in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
A girl leaves flowers on the graves of soldiers, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion, in Cyprus at the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery in the divided capital of Nicosia Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
A relative of a soldier, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, lights a candle at a grave in the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery during the 50th anniversary in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
A woman touches the photo at the grave of her relative, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, in the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery during the 50th anniversary in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
A woman touches a photo at the grave of her relative, killed in the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, in the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery during the 50th anniversary in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
Cyprus President, second left, Nicos Christodoulides attends the memorial service for the soldiers, killed during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, in the Tymvos Macedonitissas military cemetery during the 50th anniversary in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus, Saturday, July 20, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou)
Loucas Alexandrou, 94, seats by the grave, right, of his son Christakis Alexandrou, Alexandrides, who where killed on 22 of July 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Loucas Alexandrou, 94, seats by the grave of his son Christakis Alexandrou, Alexandrides, who where killed on 22 of July 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Loucas Alexandrou, 94, seats by the grave, right, of his son Christakis Alexandrou, Alexandrides, who where killed on 22 of July 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Graves of Greek and Greek Cypriot soldiers who were killed on 1974 during the Turkish invasion, are seen at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Graves of Greek and Greek Cypriot soldiers who were killed on 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Graves of Greek and Greek Cypriot soldiers who were killed on 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Loucas Alexandrou, 94, and his younger son Vassos Alexandrou, 61, right, are seen by the grave of his son, and brother, of Christakis Alexandrou, Alexandrides, who was killed on July 22, 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Loucas Alexandrou, 94, sits by the grave of his son Christakis Alexandrou, Alexandrides, who where killed on 22 of July 1974 during the Turkish invasion, at the military cemetery in the divided capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, July 19, 2024. Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Cyprus' ethnic division after Turkish invaded in the summer of 1974 in the wake of an Athens junta-backed coup aiming at union with Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Linebacker Haason Reddick won't play in the New York Jets' season-opening game Monday night at San Francisco while he remains in a contract dispute with the team.
Coach Robert Saleh acknowledged Saturday “that would be fair” to rule out Reddick, who has not been at the team's facility since the Jets' trade for him from Philadelphia became official on April 1.
The two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher, seeking a contract extension, has requested a trade from New York — something general manager Joe Douglas has said the team won't honor.
Saleh earlier in the week wouldn't rule out Reddick for the game, saying he's a veteran who knows how to prepare for the season. But the chances of that dwindled with each day of practice and Reddick remaining a holdout.
“Everyone goes through their own process,” Saleh said. "I'll stand firm that when he gets here, we're going to welcome him with open arms and we're going to love him up and he's going to be a part of this football team. And he's going to help us win a lot of football games.
“He's got to sort through the financial stuff, which is none of my business. I said it when I first got hired that our job is to help these guys make money. So, I always stay clear of it. Our job is to coach him when he gets here and love him up when he gets here.”
Reddick, who has four straight seasons of double-digit sacks, requested a trade from Philadelphia in the offseason when it became clear the Eagles wouldn’t give him a contract extension. The Jets had conversations with Reddick's representatives and felt comfortable enough to make the deal to acquire him.
Reddick, who turns 30 later this month, remains on the reserve/did not report list, where he was placed by the Jets on July 25, the second day of training camp practice.
Saleh insisted he's not frustrated by the situation with Reddick.
“Like I said, he's going through his process,” the coach said. “And when he gets here, we're going to do everything we can to help him get what he wants.”
Reddick's total fines for his holdout have surpassed $5 million, including over $2 million for missing all of training camp. He'll now forfeit almost $800,000 in game checks for each regular-season game he misses.
Backup offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer is out for the game with a hand injury that Saleh said will land him on injured reserve, meaning he'll be sidelined for at least the first four games. Schweitzer, entering his second season with the Jets, is a primary backup at guard.
Second-year linebacker Zaire Barnes, a special teams standout, will miss the game with an ankle injury.
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FILE - Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) in action against New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) and offensive tackle Max Mitchell (61) during an NFL football game, Oct. 15, 2023, in East Rutherford NJ. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz, File)