Fresh from election victory, TRNC's Eroglu pledges to continue comprehensive telks with Greek Cypriots

The Turkish Cypriot right-wing National Unity Party (UBP) swept to victory in parliamentary elections on Sunday in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The UBP won a single-party turn in government with 44% of the vote, while the ruling Republican Turkish Party (CTP) came in a distant second with 29%. The faltering economy and the continuing isolation of Northern Cyprus is believed to be one of the reasons for the CTP's defeat. In the 2005 elections, the CTP garnered 44.5% of the vote, winning 24 seats in Parliament. UBP leader Dervis Eroglu, who has twice served as prime minister, said yesterday that continuing comprehensive negotiations with the Greek Cypriot administration is a priority for his party. "We will support President Mehmet Ali Talat continuing negotiations," he added. "We'll act in unison to make progress in negotiations by thoroughly discussing Cyprus policies with the motherland Turkey. Nobody has the right to brand the UBP as opposed to an agreement." CTP leader and Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer said the election results would not sway his party from its path and backing every step towards finding a solution to the issue. "As the opposition party, the CTP will not oppose any positive step taken by the UBP-led government. We'll be encouraging, because resolution of the Cyprus problem is essential," said Soyer. Commenting on the results, Talat said, "The European Union breaking its promises to the TRNC had a big impact on the election. Turkish Cypriots were disappointed by the EU and the international community after they supported a UN plan in 2004 to solve the Cyprus issue. The UBP benefited from this disappointment."