News On Turkey
U.S. Congratulates Winner of Turkish Cypriot Elections
17 April 2005
State's Ereli says vote shows commitment towards Cyprus' reunification
The U.S. Department of State has issued a statement congratulating the winner of elections held April 17 in the Turkish region of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.
Deputy State Department spokesman Adam Ereli, in praising Turkish Cypriots for “exercising their right to select their leader,” called the vote a “reaffirmation by Turkish Cypriots of their commitment to a comprehensive solution and reunification of the island.”
Following is the text of the statement:
Statement by Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
Turkish Cypriot Election Results
U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman
April 17, 2005
The United States congratulates Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat on his victory in the Turkish Cypriot elections on Sunday, April 17. Turkish Cypriots exercised their right to select the leader of their community in free, fair and democratic elections. The United States welcomes this reaffirmation by Turkish Cypriots of their commitment to a comprehensive solution and reunification of the island. We look forward to working with all interested parties to this end.
The United States will continue to support the efforts of the UN Secretary General to promote a solution to the long-standing division of the island, based on the UN Secretary General's settlement plan and in a manner acceptable to majorities on both sides of the island. As part of our effort to pave the way for reunification, the United States will also continue to work to ease the economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and to reduce economic disparities between the two communities through economic development in the north.