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Turkish Cypriots urge unity talks Cyprus leaders seek fresh talks
(about 4 hours later)
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. The leaders of the divided Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities have voiced optimism that they can make progress towards reunification of the island.
Mehmet Ali Talat was speaking just hours after left-wing leader Demetris Christofias won the Cyprus presidential election on Sunday. The Cyprus President-elect, Demetris Christofias, said he had asked the UN to arrange a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
The Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been divided since 1974. Greek Cypriots rejected a UN peace plan in 2004. Mr Christofias was speaking just hours after his election victory.
The European Commission has urged Mr Christofias to work towards a deal. Decades of diplomatic efforts have failed to reunite the communities, who are separated by a UN buffer zone.
Mr Talat congratulated Mr Christofias on his election triumph and said "I believe that it won't be a surprise if we solve the problem by the end of 2008".
Mr Talat also called on Mr Christofias, a left-wing leader, to resume negotiations as soon as possible.
Decades-old division
The Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been divided since 1974, when Turkey sent troops into the north, after a coup by Greek Cypriots who wanted union with Greece.
Greek Cypriots rejected a UN peace plan in a referendum in 2004, while Turkish Cypriots accepted it.
The BBC's Tabitha Morgan in Cyprus says significant issues that have scuppered all previous diplomatic initiatives remain to be tackled. These include the Turkish troop presence in the north of the island.
Mr Talat said he did not want a repeat of 2004, when the Greek Cypriots "hid their real agenda until the last minute".
Speaking to Reuters news agency, Mr Christofias said: "I've already contacted the representative of the United Nations in Cyprus... the very first step will be an exploratory meeting with Mr Talat."
Earlier, the European Commission urged Mr Christofias to work towards a deal.
The very first step will be an exploratory meeting with Mr Talat Demetris Christofias Can Christofias heal divide?
Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso called on him to "grasp this chance and without delay start negotiations" under United Nations auspices.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.
Long-running dispute
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?
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 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.
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".
"I call on them to work together for our common cause, a country of peace," said the 61-year-old president-elect.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognised by Turkey.The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognised by Turkey.
UN forces patrol a buffer zone across the island. Support for talks
Sensitive issues Mr Christofias defeated rival right-winger Ioannis Kasoulides in a second round of voting on Sunday.
The defeated Mr Kasoulides congratulated his rival and offered to help find a solution to the division of Cyprus. 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's 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. Mr Christofias is likely to find that any progress on reunification will be slow and difficult, our correspondent says.
"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 reunification of our homeland."
Mr Christofias is likely to find that any progress on reunification 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.