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EU in Cyprus reunification plea Turkish Cypriots urge unity talks
(about 4 hours later)
The European Commission has urged the new president of Cyprus to "grasp the chance" to negotiate a settlement for the divided island. The Turkish Cypriot leader has called on the new Cyprus president to resume negotiations as soon as possible in an effort to reunite the island.
Left-wing leader Demetris Christofias won the presidential election on Sunday and pledged to work on reuniting the Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot communities. Mehmet Ali Talat was speaking just hours after left-wing leader Demetris Christofias won the Cyprus presidential election on Sunday.
Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso urged him to "grasp this chance and without delay start negotiations". The Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been divided since 1974. Greek Cypriots rejected a UN peace plan in 2004.
He called for fresh talks under United Nations auspices. The European Commission has urged Mr Christofias to work towards a deal.
Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso called on him to "grasp this chance and without delay start negotiations" under United Nations auspices.
At a news conference later Mr Talat said: "I genuinely congratulate Mr Christofias and I call on him to co-operate in the process of negotiations, which should start as soon as possible."
A spokesman for Mr Talat said the two men had agreed to meet "at the earliest possible date".
But Mr Talat also said he did not want a repeat of 2004, when the Greek Cypriots "hid their real agenda until the last minute".
Mr Christofias defeated rival right-winger Ioannis Kasoulides in a second round of voting.Mr Christofias defeated rival right-winger Ioannis Kasoulides in a second round of voting.
Long-running disputeLong-running dispute
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey sent troops into the north after a coup by Greek Cypriots designed to produce union with Greece. Cyprus has been divided since Turkey sent troops into the north in 1974, after a coup by Greek Cypriots designed to produce union with Greece.
Tomorrow is a new day and there will be many difficulties before us Demetris Christofias Can Christofias heal divide?Tomorrow is a new day and there will be many difficulties before us Demetris Christofias Can Christofias heal divide?
Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat telephoned Mr Christofias to congratulate him on his victory. The island's partition has long stood as an obstacle to Turkey's bid to join the EU, and remains a source of contention between Nato allies Turkey and Greece.
The two men agreed to meet "at the earliest possible date" for discussions on the status of Cyprus, a spokesman for Mr Talat said.
The island's partition along ethnic lines has long stood as an obstacle to Turkey's bid to join the EU, and remains a source of contention between Nato allies Turkey and Greece.
Reunification talks have been deadlocked since Greek Cypriots rejected a UN peace plan in a referendum in 2004. Turkish Cypriots accepted the plan.Reunification talks have been deadlocked since Greek Cypriots rejected a UN peace plan in a referendum in 2004. Turkish Cypriots accepted the plan.
Mr Christofias told a stadium full of exuberant supporters on Sunday that he extended "a hand of friendship to my compatriots the Turkish Cypriots and their political leadership".Mr Christofias told a stadium full of exuberant supporters on Sunday that he extended "a hand of friendship to my compatriots the Turkish Cypriots and their political leadership".
"I call on them to work together for our common cause, a country of peace," said the 61-year-old president-elect."I call on them to work together for our common cause, a country of peace," said the 61-year-old president-elect.
Cypriot hopes The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognised by Turkey.
UN forces patrol a buffer zone across the island.
Sensitive issues
The defeated Mr Kasoulides congratulated his rival and offered to help find a solution to the division of Cyprus.The defeated Mr Kasoulides congratulated his rival and offered to help find a solution to the division of Cyprus.
The two men had emerged neck-and-neck from the first round of the election, which saw the defeat of President Tassos Papadopoulos.The two men had emerged neck-and-neck from the first round of the election, which saw the defeat of President Tassos Papadopoulos.
Official figures showed Mr Christofias, who heads the communist Akel party, won 53.36% of the vote to Mr Kasoulides' 46.64% in Sunday's second round. Official figures showed Mr Christofias, who heads the communist Akel party, won 53.36% of the vote to Mr Kasoulides's 46.64% in Sunday's second round.
Akel supporters celebrated victory outside the party headquarters in Nicosia, chanting slogans and waving flags. Car horns could be heard across the city.Akel supporters celebrated victory outside the party headquarters in Nicosia, chanting slogans and waving flags. Car horns could be heard across the city.
"Tomorrow is a new day and there will be many difficulties before us," Mr Christofias told supporters."Tomorrow is a new day and there will be many difficulties before us," Mr Christofias told supporters.
"We need to gather our strength to achieve the re-unification of our homeland." "We need to gather our strength to achieve the reunification of our homeland."
Sensitive issues Mr Christofias is likely to find that any progress on reunification will be slow and difficult, says the BBC's Tabitha Morgan in Nicosia.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognised by Turkey.
UN forces patrol a buffer zone across the island.
Mr Christofias is likely to find that any progress on re-unification will be slow and difficult, says the BBC's Tabitha Morgan in Nicosia.
Many sensitive issues remain unresolved, including the return of refugees, security and the constitution.Many sensitive issues remain unresolved, including the return of refugees, security and the constitution.
The president-elect has already made an alliance with the party of the defeated Mr Papadopoulos - the man who firmly rejected the last UN plan to solve the Cyprus problem.The president-elect has already made an alliance with the party of the defeated Mr Papadopoulos - the man who firmly rejected the last UN plan to solve the Cyprus problem.