Besprekingen over hereniging na vorming coalitieregering in Turks-Cyprus (en)

Talks on the reunification of Cyprus can now go ahead after the Turkish Cypriots formed a new coalition government following inconclusive parliamentary elections last month.

The elections on 14 December ended in deadlock as the parliament was evenly split between parties favouring and opposing a UN proposed plan to reunify the divided island.

Yet the two parties forming the coalition disagree over how the talks should go ahead.

While the pro-EU Republican Turkish Party party led by Mehmet Ali Talat favours a UN-backed deal, the party led by the son of the current Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, wants major changes to the plan.

Moreover Serdar Denktash's Democrat Party, who will receive the foreign affairs portfolio, will be in a crucial position to negotiate with the Greek Cypriot side.

Failure to reunite Cyprus before May, when the country joins the EU would mean little chance of Turkey getting a date at the end of this year to start accession negotiations with the EU.