Verkiezingen in noord-Cyprus: forse winst voorstanders hereniging (en)

Turkish-held North Cyprus voted largely in favour of the pro-unification party in its parliamentary elections on Sunday (21 February).

With 44.45% of the final tally, the centre-left CTP party of North Cyprus' Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat won 25 of the parliament's 50 seats while the main opposition party took 31%, or 18 seats, with its leader calling the election a failure.

"The results signal that the Turkish Cypriots are for peace and unification," Mr Talat said according to Europa Press.

"We have a hand of friendship to the Greek Cypriots so that they may work with us toward an agreement".

The European Union praised the region's voters for their desire to continue towards full integration into the EU.

"The results indicate a clear desire of the Turkish Cypriot community to continue preparations for their full integration into the EU", the EU executive said in a statement.

"The results also show that the Turkish Cypriots are committed to the reunification of Cyprus", continued the statement.

A UN-drafted referendum last April on re-unifying the island succeeded in the Turkish-held north but failed in the Greek-held south.

The Commission said it sought rapid adoption of its 259 million euro support packages to help Greek-Turkish integration and assist in trade.

"The Commission continues to remain ready to actively support all efforts to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem", it said.

Turkey is the only nation that recognizes North Cyprus.