Greek Prime Minister Gives Hope to Cypriots Calling for Reunification

According to Turkish Cypriot politician Dogus Derya, newly-elected Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had stated it was time for Cyprus separated halves to reunite.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — During his recent visit to Cyprus, newly-elected Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras gave hope to those who want to see the separated halves of the island united, Turkish Cypriot politician Dogus Derya told Sputnik Turkey on Wednesday.

“Tsipras said that he was born 8 days after the two parts of the island were separated, which indicates how long the Cyprus problems last […]. ‘It is time to reunite, let’s create a new future,’ Tsipras said,” Derya told Sputnik.

On Monday, Tsipras made his first visit to Cyprus after his left-wing Syriza party won last month's Greek election.

“Syriza’s victory was perceived positively. Among Turkish Cypriots there are those who anchor big hopes toward Tsipras’ victory, and there are also those who are skeptical,” Derya added.

Cyprus is a Mediterranean island located south of Turkey and east of Greece, with Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots forming the majority of the island's population. In 1974, a Greek Cypriot military coup overthrew the government, and in response Turkey invaded the country. Currently, a buffer zone separates the Greek Cypriot south of the island from Turkish Cypriot north.