Turkish Cypriot PM resigns

A leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot republic resigned as prime minister today – a move Turkish media said was aimed at averting a crisis over Ankara’s bid to join the European Union.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island following a short-lived coup staged by supporters of union with Greece.

The EU says Turkey must open its harbours and airports to the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot republic in the south, which joined the union in 2004, or risk its prospects of eventual membership.

Ferdi Sabit Soyer, the Turkish Cypriot premier, withdrew from the ruling coalition last week, accusing his partner, Serdar Denktash’s Democrat Party, of pursuing ineffective policies.

A new coalition – created to work more closely with Ankara – would likely exclude Denktash who had been following a more nationalist stance, opposing concessions to the south despite EU demands.

Soyer’s coalition was formed more than a year ago with the goal of restarting UN-brokered reunification talks on the island, so Turkish Cypriots could also benefit from EU membership.