April 26, 2015
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Breakaway Turkish Cypriots are voting Sunday for a leader in a runoff that pits moderate Mustafa Akinci against hard-line incumbent Dervis Eroglu.
The poll will determine who Turkish Cypriots will entrust to represent them in delayed talks aimed at reunifying ethnically divided Cyprus. The talks, which have been on hold since October, are expected to resume in May.
Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of uniting the island with Greece. A Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence is recognized only by Turkey, which maintains more than 30,000 troops in the north. Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, but only the internationally recognized south enjoys membership benefits.
In the tight first round last week, Eroglu edged Akinci by a little over a percentage point after losing much support to his former top adviser Kudret Ozersay. Akinci, who is running as an independent, carries momentum into the runoff after clinching the nominal backing of a left-wing party whose own candidate finished third in the first round.
The 67-year-old Akinci supports the island's reunification as a federation. Eroglu, 78, is a staunch proponent of a separate state for Turkish Cypriots that he envisions merging with Greek Cypriots in a looser partnership.
"I believe tomorrow a new era will begin, "Akinci said as he cast his ballot. "No one can prevent change if its time has come." Eroglu said after voting that the election result will make clear the people's will.
Yucer Yuruk, 39, said he's hopeful the election result will boost chances of a peace accord despite decades of dead-ends and false hopes. "If they want, they can solve it in one day," Yuruk said. Hasan Can, 19, said the election could bring about a new leadership voice that Turkish Cypriots seek. But Can, who said he has lived on both sides of the divide, is more cautious about the prospects for a reunification deal amid what he sees as lingering mistrust.
The discovery of gas off the island's coast has raised the stakes in a reunification accord. A deal could ease Turkey's bid to join the EU and allow for tighter security cooperation on NATO's southern flank. It may also help forge new energy-based partnerships in a region racked by conflict and instability.
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Breakaway Turkish Cypriots are voting Sunday for a leader in a runoff that pits moderate Mustafa Akinci against hard-line incumbent Dervis Eroglu.
The poll will determine who Turkish Cypriots will entrust to represent them in delayed talks aimed at reunifying ethnically divided Cyprus. The talks, which have been on hold since October, are expected to resume in May.
Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of uniting the island with Greece. A Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence is recognized only by Turkey, which maintains more than 30,000 troops in the north. Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, but only the internationally recognized south enjoys membership benefits.
In the tight first round last week, Eroglu edged Akinci by a little over a percentage point after losing much support to his former top adviser Kudret Ozersay. Akinci, who is running as an independent, carries momentum into the runoff after clinching the nominal backing of a left-wing party whose own candidate finished third in the first round.
The 67-year-old Akinci supports the island's reunification as a federation. Eroglu, 78, is a staunch proponent of a separate state for Turkish Cypriots that he envisions merging with Greek Cypriots in a looser partnership.
"I believe tomorrow a new era will begin, "Akinci said as he cast his ballot. "No one can prevent change if its time has come." Eroglu said after voting that the election result will make clear the people's will.
Yucer Yuruk, 39, said he's hopeful the election result will boost chances of a peace accord despite decades of dead-ends and false hopes. "If they want, they can solve it in one day," Yuruk said. Hasan Can, 19, said the election could bring about a new leadership voice that Turkish Cypriots seek. But Can, who said he has lived on both sides of the divide, is more cautious about the prospects for a reunification deal amid what he sees as lingering mistrust.
The discovery of gas off the island's coast has raised the stakes in a reunification accord. A deal could ease Turkey's bid to join the EU and allow for tighter security cooperation on NATO's southern flank. It may also help forge new energy-based partnerships in a region racked by conflict and instability.
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