Elections in the northern Turkish Cypriot part of Cyprus were won by the pro-Turkish nationalist Ersin Tatar. He received 52 percent of the vote. His moderate opponent Akinci was stuck at 48 percent.
In a speech, Tatar said he wants to resume negotiations on a form of reunification with the Republic of Cyprus. The condition is that Greece and the Greek Cypriots recognize the Turkish interests in the region.
“When our Greek and Greek Cypriot friends correctly analyze the strategic, economic and social relations in our region, it is easy to agree,” he said. “If they don’t give up their unyielding stance, we’ll hold on to our rights.” With the latter he means a state of their own for the Turkish Cypriots.
“Fairer” course
Tatar urged the EU and the United Nations to take a “fairer” course in their mediation efforts. The international community does not recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. “You can no longer ignore the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.”
Turkish President Erdogan has congratulated Tatar on his victory. “Turkey will do anything to defend the rights of the Turkish Cypriots,” he said on Twitter.
Coup
The Republic of Cyprus has been divided into a northern and a southern part since 1974. In that year, proponents of affiliation with Greece staged a coup. In response, Turkish forces occupied the northern part to protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriots there. They proclaimed their own republic that is recognized only by Turkey.
The UN has been trying in vain to bring about reunification for nearly fifty years. UN Secretary-General Guterres is expected to make another attempt now that the Turkish Cypriots have elected Tatar as president.
Plays in the background the conflict on Turkish drilling for oil and gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean. Under international law, they lie in waters belonging to Greece and the Republic of Cyprus.
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