Turkish Cypriots Elect New Leader, Reigniting Hopes for Renewed Talks to Heal Cyprus’ Ethnic Split

Hopes for a resumption of long-stalled talks to heal Cyprus’ decades-old ethnic rift were buoyed Sunday when Turkish Cypriots elected a leader who campaigned on getting back to negotiating a two-zone federation with rival Greek Cypriots after an eight-year stalemate. 
  
At a victory rally, Tufan Erhurman said the election was a victory for all Turkish Cypriots irrespective of party affiliation and noted that any steps forward on reviving Cyprus peace efforts would be in consultation with the Turkish government as has been done in the past. 
 
Nikos Christodoulides, the island’s Greek Cypriot president, said in a congratulatory statement that he looks forward to meeting Erhurman as soon as possible and reiterated his readiness to resume peace talks. 
 
Cyprus was as divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded days after Greek junta-backed supporters of union with Greece mounted a coup. Only Turkey recognizes a 1983 Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and maintains more than 35,000 troops in the north. 
  
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