Hardline Turkish Cypriot Politician Wins Presidential Election
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Turkish Cypriot politician Dervis Eroglu has swept to victory in presidential elections, winning 50.38 per cent of the vote, unofficial final results showed.

Dervis Eroglu celebrates his election win at the party headquarters in Nicosia. Photograph: The Sunday Telegraph
Mr Eroglu's main rival, incumbent leader Mehmet Ali Talat, won 42.85 per cent of the vote, pending ratification by an electoral commission.

Mr Eroglu has vowed to continue peace talks amid fears his victory could grind reunification negotiations with the Greek Cypriots to a halt and scuttle Turkey's bid for European Union membership.

Mr Eroglu is seeking broad autonomy for Turkish Cypriots in reunification talks with Greek Cypriots – a position that the Greek Cypriots object to.

"It's time to find peace," he said.

"No one should expect me to leave the negotiating table," he told the crowd that cheered, honked horns and set off fireworks at an impromptu victory rally.

"We will be at the negotiating table for an agreement that will continue the existence of our people in this land with honour."

The island's division is already hampering Turkey's EU drive and could halt it if peace talks collapse.

Since Turkey is a Nato member such a move also could cripple closer co-operation between the military alliance and the EU, and increase regional instability. >>> | Sunday, April 18, 2010

Chypre du Nord: Eroglu élu au premier tour
leJDD.fr: Le Premier ministre et partisan de l'indépendance de la partie turque de Chypre, Dervis Eroglu, a été élu dès le premier tour de l'élection présidentielle, selon les résultats définitifs officiels portant sur la totalité des bulletins dépouillés. Il est crédité de 50,38% des voix, contre 42,85% pour son rival, le président sortant Mehmet Ali Talat. Selon la commission électorale, le taux de participation s'élève à 75%. Dervis Eroglu devra négocier le règlement du statut de l'île, divisée depuis 1974 entre une partie chypriote turque - non reconnue par la communauté internationale - et une partie grecque qui représente Chypre dans l'Union européenne. [Source: leJDD.fr] | Dimanche 18 Avril 2010

Hardliners Win Northern Cyprus Election
BBC: Turkish Cypriot nationalists have swept to victory in a parliamentary election in northern Cyprus that could hamper peace talks with Greek Cypriots.

The right-wing National Unity Party (UBP), which favours closer links with Turkey rather than EU membership, has won 44% of the vote.

That leaves the ruling Republican Turkish Party (CTP) of leader Mehmet Ali Talat with only 29%.
Mr Talat retains his position, but his hands will now be tied at peace talks.

Cypriot problem

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded the island in response to an attempt by Greek Cypriots to make it part of Greece.

Frustration at the slow progress of talks aimed at reuniting the island appears to have been a key element in this latest poll, the BBC's Tabitha Morgan reports from Cyprus.

When Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Talat began talks with the Greek Cypriot leader, President Dimitris Christofias, over a year ago, he predicted a deal within months.

As part of the package, the breakaway Turkish Cypriot republic - which is only recognised by Turkey - would have gained automatic membership of the EU.

None of this has happened.

Two-state solution

The leader of the nationalist UBP party, Dervis Eroglu, has said he will be pressing for international recognition for the breakaway state.

The UBP wants the island to remain divided and has its sights on a two-state model. >>> | Sunday, April 19, 2009