Dervis Eroglu's victory in the Turkish Cypriot elections will cause "serious problems" for reunification talks on ethnically divided Cyprus, the Cypriot government said today.
"Taking into account the declared positions of Mr Eroglu against a federation, and for the establishment of two independent states in Cyprus, this could cause very serious problems to the (peace) negotiations," government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou told reporters.
Mr Eroglu, a staunch backer of Turkish Cypriot independence, swept to victory in an election in the breakaway north of Cyprus on Sunday, according to unofficial final results. The island has been split since a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup.
Mr Eroglu wants broad autonomy for Turkish Cypriots in reunification talks with Greek Cypriots, a position to which the Greek Cypriots object.
"We expect the international community to exert its influence and pressure on the new leader of the Turkish Cypriot community to continue talks on the proper basis," Mr Stefanou said.
Progress in peace negotiations between the two sides is closely tied to Turkey's chances of joining the European Union. Greek Cypriots represent Cyprus in the bloc and have said they will block Turkey's entry until the island is reunited.
The Greek Cypriots launched peace talks with outgoing Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in late 2008 on reuniting the island as a sovereign state with autonomy for the two zones but with an effective central administration.
Ankara has said it hopes for a solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of this year.
"Turkey will continue to support negotiations for a permanent and extensive peace on the island, regardless of who chairs the Turkish Cypriot side of the table," Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu told a news conference on Monday.
Unofficial final results showed Mr Eroglu winning 50.38 per cent of the vote with Mr Talat garnering 42.85 per cent.
Reuters