Britain says election result generates hope for Cyprus

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has expressed hope that the renewed sense of hope in Cyprus, after Sunday’s presidential elections, would facilitate efforts to build trust and confidence between the two communities on the island.

Commenting on the result of the elections, Miliband said that ”the elections in Cyprus yesterday have generated a renewed sense of hope, among both communities on the island, that progress towards a comprehensive settlement can be achieved during 2008.”
”I hope we can build on this momentum through early efforts to build trust and confidence between the two communities. For its part, the UK will support the efforts of the UN in its search for a comprehensive settlement,” he added.

Miliband noted that ”the British Government looks forward to working closely with Cyprus and President designate Christofias to strengthen our important bilateral relationship.”

Christofias was elected President on Sunday, having secured 53.36% of the vote, against his rival Ioannis Kasoulides who got 46.64%. This is the first time left-wing AKEL has put forward its own candidate for the presidency.