The election of Tufan Erhiurman to the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community was welcomed by the former Prime Minister, George Papandreou.

“Mr. Erhiurman and the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) secured a clean mandate, based on a program that seeks to restart talks to resolve the Cyprus and the rapprochement with Europe”Mr. Papandreou said in his statement and underlined: “This result reflects the will of the Turkish Cypriot community for progress, cooperation and a just and sustainable solution.”

He expressed, moreover, the hope that “resuming the negotiations from where they were interrupted will be translated into action, opening a new round of meaningful dialogue. The goal remains the achievement of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as determined by the resolutions of the UN Security Council, without occupying troops and foreign dependencies, for the benefit of all Cypriots – Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots”

George Papandreou called on the progressive forces in Greece, Cyprus and internationally to consistently support dialogue, peace and democracy, so that Cyprus can move forward united in a common, European future.