Brussels, 27/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - On 26 April, Mustafa Akinci, who is considered to be in favour of Cypriot reconciliation, was elected “President” of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognised only by Turkey. In the second round, he won 60.5% of the votes against the outgoing “President”, Dervis Eroglu. 64% of the 176,000 people registered to vote turned out.
Akinci's victory was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, who described his selection, in a tweet in English, as a “hopeful development for our common homeland”. Anastasiades and Akinci have spoken over the telephone and expressed their “desire for genuine reunification”, according to a second tweet by Anastasiades, in Greek (our translation). He added that he looks forward to meeting Akinci.
Negotiations for the reunification of the island could resume in May. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)