Cypriots elect pro-unification communist as president[fr][de] 

"We have a common vision […] to reunite our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots," Christofias said, adding that he looked forward to "substantial cooperation for the benefit of both communities". 

President-elect Christofias has already agreed to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat "at the earliest possible date" for discussions on the status of Cyprus, a spokesman for Talat said, after Talat had phoned Christofias to congratulate him. 

The 61-year-old Soviet-educated history professor - whose firm communist roots are a rarity within the EU - won 53.4% of the vote, compared with 46.6% for right-wing MEP and former foreign minister Ioannis Kasoulides. 

Both candidates had emerged neck-and-neck after the first round on 17 February (Euractiv 18/02/08), ousting former president Tassos Papadopoulos, renowned for his refusal of a UN plan to reunify the island, which has been split since a Turkish invasion in 1974 aimed at preventing Greece from annexing the island.

Although Kasoulides was the candidate most favoured by the international community to push ahead with reunification talks, both had campaigned on reunification. 

The EU congratulated Christofias, with Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso stating that Christofias' election "offers the opportunity to overcome the long-standing stalemate on the Cyprus issue."