EU welcomes electoral win of Turkish Cypriot leader

The European Union head office welcomed the election victory of Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat today, saying the support for the of pro-EU politician confirmed the “strong desire” on the Turkish Cypriot side for reunification of Cyprus.

“The (European) Commission expects this result will create favourable conditions of a resumption of talks under the aegis of the United Nations in view of a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue,” it said in a statement.

It added that Talat’s victory “confirms the strong desire of the Turkish Cypriot community for reunification and full integration into the EU”.

It said the Commission was ready to “actively support all efforts” of reunification. Its aid offer of €259m for the Turkish Cypriot community still stands, as well as offering special trade concessions.

The aid is meant to help relieve the economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriot half of the Mediterranean island.

Talat got 56% in yesterday’s presidential vote in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state.

The change in leadership reflected the growing wish of many voters, especially young ones, for a settlement to the island’s partition and full participation in the European Union.

Cyprus joined the bloc last year, but the island’s division has excluded Turkish Cypriots in the north from most benefits.