Britain, Cyprus hail 'new era' on military land

Yahoo – AFP, 9 May 2022 

An aerial view of the United Kingdom's Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area east of
Larnaca -- it is one of two such areas on the island of Cyprus (AFP/Amir MAKAR)
(Amir MAKAR)

Thousands of Cypriots living on British military land will have the right to develop their properties under a deal to take effect next week, ending decades of unequal treatment, officials said Monday. 

Under the 1960 treaty granting Cyprus independence from Britain, the United Kingdom retained control of two Sovereign Base Areas covering three percent of the island's land area. 

These include not only the bases themselves but Cypriot communities home to around 12,000 people -- more than the number of British military personnel and their families. 

Non-military development on base land has until now been generally restricted. 

Cypriot property owners on base land were subject to "62 years of distortions and imbalances" which the deal to be implemented from May 16 will remove, Cyprus's President Nicos Anastasiades said at a ceremony. 

Residential, commercial and other developments will be possible under the arrangement. 

"It is a truly historic agreement", Anastasiades told the ceremony attended by base officials. 

British High Commissioner Stephen Lillie told the gathering that "a new era of non-military development" begins next week. 

"From that day, landowners in the bases will be able to submit planning applications and develop their land much like they can anywhere else in Cyprus," he said, describing it as a "levelling up." 

In a statement, British Forces Cyprus said that, for the first time, third-country nationals in addition to Cypriots will be able to own property, live, and run a business in the base areas -- subject to environmental, security and zoning considerations. 

Anastasiades reached an agreement in 2014 with then-British Prime Minister David Cameron paving the way for the changes being implemented from next week. 

In an interview with AFP, Anastasiades said the agreement did not mean an alteration to the 1960 treaty and did not require discussions with Greece and Turkey, the other 1960 signatories. 

He said it is simply changing the status of the residents in the base areas, "giving a chance for development which is a great thing. We are talking about a huge extent of land." 

The base areas cover 254 square kilometres (98 square miles). 

Cyprus, an eastern Mediterranean island, has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded following a Greek-sponsored coup. The Republic of Cyprus, whose overwhelming majority are Greek Cypriots, has effective control over the southern two-thirds of the island.

The Netherlands is a tax haven alongside Ireland, Malta and Cyprus, say MEPs

DutchNews, March 27, 2019

Photo: Joep Poulssen

Members of the European parliament have voted to include the Netherlands, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta and Cyprus on the official EU tax haven black list. 

However the motion, proposed by Dutch Labour MEP Paul Tang, will not have any affect on the listing because members states have to unanimously approve every inclusion, the Financieele Dagblad said on Wednesday. 

The official EU blacklist of places considered to facilitate tax evasion now comprises 15 countries, after 10, including Aruba, were added earlier this month. However, Tang said this did not go far enough, and referred to research last year by the European Commission which said the Netherlands cooperated with ‘aggressive tax planning’. 

Tang’s motion was passed by 408 to 205. 

Dutch junior finance minister Menno Snel said in a reaction that he was astonished by the vote. ‘The Netherlands has a leading position in the battle against international tax evasion,’ he told the FD.

Brussels tells the Netherlands, other EU countries to clean up golden visa schemes

DutchNews, January 23, 2019

The IND offices in The Hague. Photo: Depositphotos.com

The European Commission is urging the Netherlands and 22 other countries to halt schemes granting ‘golden’ visas and passports to foreign investors because of the risk they could involve criminal cash. 

The commission said in a new report on Wednesday that allowing people to pay for citizenship or residence presents serious risks to the country itself, but given free movement rules, has an impact on the entire union. 

Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta grant foreign investors citizenship without requiring them to live in those EU countries in return for hefty fees. And the Netherlands is one of 20 countries offering a residence permit in return for payment. 

In the Netherlands people can qualify for a residency permit if they invest €1.25m in an innovative company or a firm which has added value for the Dutch economy. 

The commission said there is a lack of ‘transparency and oversight’ for the residence schemes, including too few statistics on how many people obtain a residence permit in this way. It plans to set up a group of experts to improve the supervision of the schemes. 

Spain, Cyprus, Portugal and Britain are said to gain the most financially from operating the schemes. 

A foreign ministry spokesman told the Volkskrant that officials are looking into abolishing the Dutch system. DutchNews.nl has contacted the IND for comment.

The European Union urged member countries on Wednesday to crack down on schemes granting "golden visas and passports" to foreign investors, warning they can bring corruption and money laundering in their wake https://t.co/CdlHrAwUBX

— AFP news agency (@AFP) January 23, 2019

New border crossings open in divided Cyprus, first in 8 years

Yahoo – AFP, 12 November 2018

United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) officers patrol inside the
buffer zone that slices between the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus
and the Turkish-occupied north, in Nicosia on June 14, 2018

Cypriot officials opened two new border crossings Monday for the first time in eight years, the latest push for peace by the two sides after UN-backed talks collapsed last year.

Dozens of people from the island's Greek Cypriot south streamed across the eastern Dherynia border post, walking past United Nations peacekeepers into the breakaway Turkish-backed north.

At the same time, the Lefka or Aplici crossing opened in the northwest of the eastern Mediterranean island.

Ahead of the Dherynia crossing reopening, soldiers removed barriers wrapped in rusty barbed wire and a small group of riot police stood by.

But despite arguments breaking out among onlookers in the run-up to the midday (1000 GMT) opening, the crowd passed peacefully through the border.

The latest move was welcomed by Elizabeth Spehar, UN special representative and head of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus.

"Today is good day for Cyprus," she said in a statement.

Map of Cyprus

"These crossing points will play an important role in helping to increase people to people contacts, contributing to build much needed trust and confidence between the communities on the island."

The development is also seen as a vital step to reviving peace negotiations, which collapsed in acrimony in July last year.

"It's another asset to the peace talks," said Chris Charalambous, who was just 18 when war broke out in 1974.

Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third in response to a coup sponsored by the military junta then in power in Athens seeking to unite the island with Greece.

For the first time since fleeing the conflict Charalambous was looking forward to seeing his house, which he said lies in a Turkish Cypriot military zone.

"I'm just going to walk down and then I walk back, I don't know if I can stand spending time in the north," he told AFP.

Cyprus has been divided for more than four decades and the two communities lived isolated from one another until Turkish Cypriot authorities cleared the way for the free movement of people in 2003.

Cyprus peace deal 'within reach': UN

Yahoo – AFP, Ben Simon, November 7, 2016

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon (C) poses with Turkish Cypriot
 leader Mustafa Akinci (L) and Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades
on November 7, 2016 (AFP Photo/Fabrice Coffrini)

MONT PELERIN (Switzerland) (AFP) - A deal to unify Cyprus is within reach, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Monday as he opened talks aimed at resolving one of the world's longest running political crises.

The Mediterranean resort island has been split since 1974, when Turkish troops occupied its northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece.

The United Nations has launched several failed peace drives over the last four decades, but the latest bid between Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mustafa Akinci has been billed as the last best hope for an enduring truce.

During five days of negotiations at a luxury Swiss resort overlooking the Alps, the two leaders were set to directly discuss the thorny issue of territorial adjustments for the first time.

Ban applauded "significant progress" during the peace process that began 18 months ago, but cautioned that "sensitive and difficult issues still remain".

"The two leaders have reached a critical juncture in their talks. I encourage them to make the most of the moment and the momentum," he told reporters immediately before talks began.

"The prospect of a solution in Cyprus is within their reach."

The last major peace push collapsed in 2004 when a proposal worked out by then UN chief Kofi Annan was accepted by most Turkish Cypriots but resoundingly dismissed by Greek Cypriots in twin referendums.

Land swaps, autonomous states

The rival leaders are trying to agree on the internal boundary dividing two prospective states. The future Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot regions would be largely autonomous, but would exist under a unified Cyprus, with one head of state.

But any deal will require tough compromises on territory swaps, which could see a number of Turkish Cypriots displaced from their homes.

Anastasiades last week urged both sides to "seize the opportunity," calling for "progress on territory which allows us to lead to a final settlement".

Akinci, whose Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognised by Ankara, also said that the push to solve the crisis cannot continue indefinitely.

"This is not something that we can keep discussing after 50 years for another 50 years. Everyone, including the UN, is aware of this," he said in a speech last week.

Ban has made clear he wants to see a final and enduring deal reached before he leaves office at the end of the year.

Symbolic town

The orange-growing town of Morphou in the northwest of Cyprus represents the complexities surrounding territorial disputes.

Named Guzelyurt in Turkish, it is home to around 18,000 Turkish Cypriots, some of whom have lived there for more than four decades.

Relatives of people missing since the 1974 Turkish 

invasion of Cyprus protest against a UN peace plan in 

Nicosia 22 April, 2004 (AFP Photo/Philip Mark)

But before Turkey's 1974 invasion, Morphou's population was almost entirely Greek Cypriot.

Greek Cypriots with ancestral ties to Morphou have said reclaiming control of the north coast town was crucial to any deal.

But some Turkish Cypriots in the town, many of whom are themselves refugees from other parts of the island, have declared relinquishing its control a non-starter.

The peace blueprint drawn up by UN mediators in 2003 called for Morphou to be handed over to Greek Cypriot administration.

Although Turkish Cypriot voters approved that plan, attitudes have hardened since.

Sinasi Ozdes, spokesman for a residents' campaign group, the Guzelyurt Civil Society Platform, told AFP he accepted there would have to be territorial concessions but would vote against any agreement that surrendered control of the town.

"We're going to give something -- but not Morphou," he said.

Anastasiades warned last month that there could be no deal without a full return of the area.

An agreement on disputed territory will almost certainly have to include a subsequent arrangement on refugee return and compensation for lost property, which cost billions of euros.

And any deal would again have to be approved by voters of both sides.

The island -- home to several British military bases -- is an EU member but its division remains a major hurdle in Turkey's accession bid.

Cypriot leaders issue joint festive peace message

Yahoo – AFP, December 25, 2015

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades (L) and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
 Akinci, pictured on July 28, 2015, expressed hopes for reunification in a Christmas Eve
televised message which was also posted on YouTube (AFP Photo/Stavros Ioannides)

Nicosia (AFP) - Rival Cypriot leaders have issued a joint festive message across the divided island in each other's language, in a show of unity as they push for peace in 2016.

Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mustafa Akinci expressed hopes for reunification in the Christmas Eve televised message which was also posted on YouTube.

"I wish the new year will allow us... to live once more peacefully in a reunited country," Anastasiades said in Turkish, the first time he has spoken the language in public.

Standing beside him, Akinci said in Greek: "I wish the new year will bring lasting peace, serenity and prosperity to all Cypriots".

EU Commission spokesperson Margaritis Schinas praised their statement, tweeting: "Joint Christmas wishes best symbol of hope for a great European #Cyprus in 2016".

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops occupied its northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece.

Last week Cypriot leaders wrapped up UN peace negotiations for 2015 saying they hoped next year would bring an elusive reunification deal for the divided island.

Their next meetings are planned for January 7, 14 and 29 with the aim "of reaching a comprehensive settlement as soon as possible".

Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with Pakistan

 Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif upon his arrival in Lahore on December 25,

2015 (AFP Photo)

Related Article:

India's Modi on surprise 'goodwill' Pakistan visit

Kerry visits divided Cyprus to boost peace talks

Yahoo – AFP, Alice Hackman and Nicolas Revise, 4 Dec 2015

US Secretary of State John Kerry (C) shakes the hands of Cypriot President

 Nicos Anastasiades (R) and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci (L) ahead

of a dinner in Nicosia on December 3, 2015 (AFP Photo/Jonathan Ernst)

Nicosia (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday that an end to the four-decade division of Cyprus was "within reach" as he visited both sides of the Mediterranean island to support peace talks.

Hopes have grown for a peace deal since leaders in the Greek Cypriot south and Turkish Cypriot-held north resumed UN-brokered negotiations in May, with meetings in recent weeks intensifying to their highest level in years.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis

 Kasoulides (R) welcomes US Secretary

 of State John Kerry in Nicosia on 

December 3, 2015 (AFP Photo/

Behrouz Mehri)

"In recent months it has become clear that the ground really is shifting. And tangible progress is being made," Kerry said after separate talks with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders.

"I am more convinced than ever that a resolution to the longstanding division of Cyprus is within reach, and with it, the many benefits of unity for all the people of the island," he said.

A UN-controlled buffer zone -- the "Green Line" -- runs across the island and through Nicosia, Europe's last divided capital, separating the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) from the Republic of Cyprus.

Kerry met with both Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and his Greek Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades, who embarked on a new round of peace talks towards reunification after Akinci won elections in April.

"Both leaders underscored something we strongly believe in the United States: not only will a just, comprehensive, and lasting solution for Cyprus have an enormously positive impact on the island, it will lift up the entire region," Kerry said.

"A united Cyprus will stand as a beacon of hope in a tumultuous part of the world at a time when people need that beacon. It will be a model for other places in search of a peaceful, multi-ethnic future.

"With a lasting settlement to this decades-long conflict, Cyprus could also become a regional energy and commercial hub," he said, adding, "We believe this is Cyprus's moment."

'Cautiously optimistic'

Kerry is the second senior US official to travel to Cyprus after Vice President Joe Biden in 2014 became the highest level American visitor since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1962.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades (R) greets US Secretary of State

John Kerry in Nicosia on December 3, 2015 (AFP Photo/Jonathan Ernst)

He arrived in Cyprus from Belgrade, where he had taken part in the annual ministerial council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The visit comes amid an international push for a solution to the Cyprus issue, as UN peace envoy Espen Barth Eide last week announced "further progress" in talks, the most intensive in years.

"They now feel more hopeful and confident that the outstanding issues could be resolved in the near future," the Norwegian diplomat said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Cyprus on Wednesday, a day after Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu made his first visit to the north since assuming office, expressing his support for a "viable, just and peaceful solution".

Rival leaders have failed to come up with a power-sharing formula for four decades, struggling with issues including lost property, Turkish soldiers in the north and landmine clearance.

But after Akinci was elected on a mandate to pursue further talks, he and Anastasiades announced several confidence-building measures, including a promise to hand over maps detailing 28 Greek Cypriot minefields in the north, scrapping visa requirements for Greek Cypriots and connecting electricity grids.

Ankara and Washington voiced hope that 2015 could be the year that Cyprus was reunited.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci (R) meets with US Secretary of State 

John Kerry (L) on December 3, 2015 in north Nicosia, in the self-proclaimed 

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (AFP Photo/Jonathan Ernst)

Mete Hatay, a TRNC-based political analyst, said he was "cautiously optimistic" but did not expect negotiations to find a solution by the end of the year.

"The negotiations look good, but it's not easy," he said.

During the Turkish invasion, around 200,000 people fled in a population exchange, Greek Cypriots to the south and Turkish Cypriots to the north, leaving behind their homes and land.

Their lost property -- as well as territory -- will be "the last issues that are going to be on the table," Hatay said.

Rival leaders take historic stroll through Cyprus capital

Leaders of the Turkish and Greek parts of Cyprus have taken a joint stroll through both sides of the divided capital amid renewed settlement hopes. UN-brokered peace talks resumed last week after an eight-month hiatus.

Deutsche Welle, 23 May 2015

Greek Cypriot leader and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades (L) shakes hands
 with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci (R) and UN envoy Espen Barth Eide (C)
 while a UN peacekeeper looks on at United Nations offices in the buffer zone of
Nicosia airport, May 15, 2015 (Photo: REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou)

For the first time in the history of the Cyprus dispute, the presidents of the Greek and Turkish regions of Cyprus walked through the streets of Nicosia for more than an hour.

Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and recently elected Turkish Cypriot president Mustafa Akinci held informal talks at a United Nations compound in Nicosia's buffer zone on Saturday before having coffee and cakes at cafés on both sides of the border.

"This is an historic day," Akinci told reporters as he and President Anastasiades strolled across the UN-monitored 'green line' that divides Cyprus. The two presidents were greeted by hundreds of Cypriots who support reunification.

The island formally split into two in 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the northern part in response to a coup by supporters of Cyprus' union with Greece. The Turkish Cypriots had already pulled out of government institutions in 1963 in response to communal violence; by 1983, they declared their breakaway state.

Cyprus was given European Union membership in 2004, but it only applied to the southern Greek region. The northern part, heavily dependent on Turkey's support, is only recognized by Ankara.

UN-backed peace talks between the two regions resumed on May 15 after they stalled in October last year.

"We will work very hard to achieve a lasting peace deal at the earliest possible [date]," said Anastasiades.

Akinci, however, warned against being overly optimistic. "We very much would like to give the message of hope because after so many disappointments we need this hope. But, of course, what we need more is not to create yet another disappointment."

Renewed hope

The election of Akinci - who supports reunification - as Turkish Cyprus' president, has reinvigorated hopes for a settlement.

Akinci defeated nationalist Dervis Eroglu in the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' presidential elections in April.

Akinci then angered Ankara by demanding more independence for Turkish Cypriots from Turkey.

If an agreement on reunification is achieved, the accord will have to be put to the people of Cyprus for a vote.

Last week, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the resumption of negotiations in a statement released by his spokesman in New York.

"With the momentum continuing to build for a solution to the long-standing division of the island, the secretary general salutes the commitment of the leaders to move forward without delay," read the statement.

"The secretary-general calls on the leaders to seize this opportunity to achieve tangible progress towards a comprehensive settlement that would clearly benefit both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots," it added.

Washington also hailed the talks and expressed its "willingness to assist the process in any way the parties find useful."

shs/ng (Reuters, AP)

Cyprus rivals to resume peace talks on Friday: UN

Yahoo – AFP, 11 May 2015

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades (R) greets Turkish Cypriot President

 of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Mustafa 

Akinci (L), as UN envoy Espen Barth Eide (C) looks on, on May 11, 2015

(AFP Photo/Iakovos Hatzistavrou)

Nicosia (AFP) - Rival Cypriot leaders agreed Monday to resume UN-brokered peace talks on May 15 in a fresh bid to reunify Cyprus after four decades of division, the United Nations announced.

UN envoy Espen Barth Eide made the announcement after hosting a dinner for President Nicos Anastasiades, the Greek Cypriot leader, and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, the newly-elected Mustafa Akinci.

The meeting, held in the UN-patrolled buffer zone of Nicosia, was held in a "positive atmosphere", the envoy said.

The two leaders had agreed it was "important to use the momentum created and this new opportunity to move forward without delay."

Eide said the leaders agreed to meet on Friday to have a "general exchange of views" and discuss how the negotiations should proceed.

The Norwegian diplomat said it was a "unique opportunity" to be grasped.

The two hours of dinner diplomacy was part of efforts to kick-start reunification talks, which have been suspended since October.

It was the first time the two leaders have met since Akinci –- seen as a moderate -- was elected Turkish Cypriot leader last month.

Anastasiades tweeted: "I hope that the conditions for a substantive dialogue will be created, which will lead to the reunification of our country."

"It was a positive meeting, it was a good beginning," tweeted Akinci.

Akinci, a longtime champion of reunification, was elected president of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on April 26, defeating nationalist incumbent Dervis Eroglu.

Anastasiades has said Akinci's election had renewed hopes for a settlement.

Before the dinner, held at the Ledra Palace hotel that serves as a barracks for British UN peacekeepers, a few hundred people turned up to demonstrate in favour of a peace accord.

The conservative Greek Cypriot leader also has peace credentials, having supported a 2004 UN settlement blueprint that 75 percent of Greek Cypriots rejected in a referendum.

Since then there has been little progress achieved with the thorny issues of territorial adjustments, security, property rights and power sharing the main stumbling blocks.

A UN-monitored ceasefire line has divided the island since 1974 when Turkish troops occupied its northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece.

The Turkish Cypriots, who had already pulled out of government institutions in the face of communal violence in 1963, declared their breakaway state in 1983.

But it is recognised only by Turkey, which provides around a third of its budget.

The Greek Cypriots pulled out of the UN-brokered talks last October in protest at Turkish exploration for oil and gas off the island's coast.

But they announced in April that they would return to the negotiating table after the Turkish Cypriot election.

Both Ankara and Washington voiced hope last week that 2015 could finally be the year that Cyprus is reunited.

Cyprus president to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader ahead of reunification talks

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades is set to meet newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. The meeting comes ahead of a new round of UN-brokered talks aimed at reuniting the long-divided island.

Deutsche Welle, 28 April 2015

Spokesman for Cyprus' government, Nicos Christodoulides, said on Tuesday that the two leaders will meet on Saturday to tackle issues relating to reconciliation efforts between the ethnically divided island.

Greek Cypriots pulled out of the UN-brokered talks in October in protest at Turkish exploration for oil and gas off the island's coast but announced earlier this month that they would return to the negotiating table after the Turkish Cypriot election. The venue is yet to be confirmed.

Hope of reunification

Akinci, a longtime advocate of reunifying the island, was Cyprus rejoices as unifier Akinci wins in Turkish north elected as the leader of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Sunday - defeating nationalist incumbent Dervis Eroglu.

Following Akinci's election, Anastasiades said on Monday that the result had renewed hope that a settlement could be reached between Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders after 40 years of division.

"At long last, hope is created that our homeland can be reunited to create a modern state governed by EU principles, creating the prospects of cooperation, peace and tranquility," Anastasiades said in Cyprus' capital, Nicosia.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan scolded Akinci, however, after the new Turkish Cypriot leader said Turkey and the TRNC should enjoy a relationship of "brotherly countries" rather than mother and child.

Four divided decades

Cyprus has been divided by a UN-monitored ceasefire line since 1974 when Turkish troops occupied its northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup, seeking union with Greece.

The Turkish Cypriots, who had already pulled out of government institutions in the face of communal violence in 1963, declared their breakaway state in 1983.

The separatist state is recognized only by Turkey, however, which provides around a third of its budget.

Earlier last week, both Ankara and Washington voiced hope that 2015 be the year Cyprus becomes reunited.

ksb/bw (AFP, AP)

Cyprus rejoices as unifier Akinci wins in Turkish north

Turkish Cypriots have elected Mustafa Akinci leader of their internationally shunned republic. He has pledged to focus his energy on breaking decades of stalemate and achieving an accord that would reunify Cyprus.

Deutsche Welle, 27 April 2015

Mustafa Akinci received 60.5 percent of the vote to lead Turkish Cyprus. The challenger, who had previously served 14 years as mayor of the Turkish half of the island's divided capital, Nicosia, beat the five-year incumbent, Dervis Eroglu, in a runoff poll that could accelerate UN-backed efforts to reunify Cyprus, a British colony until 1960. About 64 percent the 177,000 registered voters turned out.

"We achieved change and my policy will be focused on reaching a peace settlement," Akinci told supporters at a victory rally on Sunday. "This country cannot tolerate any more wasted time."

A moderate who supports a federated solution, Akincis is expected to help resume reunification talks next month. He rode discontent with five years of rule by the right-wing Eroglu, whose own efforts at talks failed in 2014.

'A tremendous burden'

As mayor of Turkish Nicosia from the late 1970s to early 1990s, Akinci collaborated with his Greek Cypriot counterpart on an architectural plan for the capital's future reunification, earning accolades. Since that time, he has held several government posts and led and helped found centrist political parties. After winning, Akinci said he had agreed to meet with Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades soon.

The selection of @MustafaAkinci_1 is a hopeful development for our common homeland. I look forward to have a meeting with him #Cyprus
— Nicos Anastasiades (@AnastasiadesCY) 26 april 2015

"Anastasiades and I are the same generation," Akinci told his supporters on Sunday, adding that voters had answered critics who accused him of selling out to Greek Cypriots. "If we can't solve this now, it will be a tremendous burden on future generations."

Only Turkey, which maintains more than 30,000 troops in north Cyprus, recognizes the region's 1983 declaration of independence, preceded in 1974 by Turkey's invasion of the island following a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Only the internationally recognized south of Cyprus benefits from the country's joining the European Union in 2004. In 2013, rumors floated that Cyprus could lose the euro as the country's official currency, and just in February the Anastasiades administration signed a port deal with Russia to shore up finances.

On Sunday, UN envoy Espen Barth Eide congratulated Akinci on his win and "welcomed his commitment to resuming negotiations as soon as possible," the United Nations announced in a statement. Eide will return to the island early next month to prepare for the resumption of talks, which Anastasiades had put on hold following a pre-election clash over rights to the island's offshore natural gas reserves.

Sibel Siber, the first female prime minister of north Cyprus, lost in the first round of the election, but her Republican Turkish Party threw its support behind Akinci, helping seal Sunday's historic victory.

mkg/gsw (Reuters, AFP, dpa, AP)

Turkish Cypriots vote for new president

Voters in the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will elect a president on Sunday. The new leader will then be tasked with representing them in reunification talks on the divided island.

Deutsche Welle, 19 April 2015

Polling stations opened on the divided island at 8:00 a.m. local time (0500 UTC), with about 176,000 people eligible to vote in northern Cyprus, which occupies almost one third of the Mediterranean island and is only recognized by Turkey.

Opinion polls put incumbent Dervis Eroglu in the lead ahead of the six other candidates, but the conservative is not tipped to win the required 50 percent of vote in Sunday's first round, paving the way for a run-off election with his nearest rival on April 26.

Sunday's election will determine who sits opposite Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades in talks to help re-unify the divided island which are expected to resume next month.

Only Turkey recognizes northern Cyprus as an independent state and Ankara to funds one-third of its annual budget. The international community recognizes the Greek Cypriot government as the whole island's legitimate government.

"Presidential elections have always given a clear indication of the Turkish Cypriot community's view on the Cyprus problem. This time however it might be different," sociologist Kudret Akay said.

"In recent years the Turkish Cypriots' attitude has hardened as a result of perceived Greek Cypriot intransigence in negotiations, a view most closely represented by Dervis Eroglu," he added.

Just after casting his vote at a polling station in Nicosia, 47-year-old Halil Davulcu told reporters that, "nobody recognizes Turkish Cypriot identity, there is a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, but nobody recognizes it.

"Maybe if this problem is solved then our identity will become known," Davulcu added.

Aside from Eroglu, Sibel Siber, the sole female candidate, head of parliament and former prime minister and independent Mustafa Akinci, are the incumbent's main challengers.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 after a Turkish military invasion, which followed a short-lived Greek-inspired coup. About 1,000 peacekeepers monitor a ceasefire line that divides Nicosia, Europe's last divided capital.

Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004 still a divided island, and although the north is technically a member of the bloc, Turkish Cypriots are denied almost all the rights and responsibilities associated with EU membership.

Preliminary election results are expected on Sunday night.

jlw/sms (Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa)