Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his party's landslide victory in nationwide elections proves that his government is stable and powerful -- a mandate that could strengthen Turkey's position during the Cyprus reunification talks.
Erdogan, whose pro-Western, Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party won more than 42 percent of the votes in Sunday's local elections, was scheduled to fly to Switzerland for talks with leaders from Greece and Cyprus on a UN-drafted reunification plan for the war-divided island of Cyprus.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is expected to present all parties with his proposal for reunifying the island before Cyprus joins the EU on May 1.
Erdogan said early yesterday that he would try to speed up the negotiation process.
"God willing, our attendance would give an impetus" to the negotiations, Erdogan told a news conference. "We're going to Switzerland with good will."
Erdogan said his party's election victory has strengthened his government.
"Our interlocutors may look at the results of this elections and see how stable and powerful government we are," Erdogan said. "That could bring a new attitude."
Out of 81 cities, Erdogan's party won at least 55 mayoral races, including those in Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, and the capital, Ankara, according to unofficial results early yesterday.
"A vote of confidence from the people," a headline in the Yeni Safak newspaper said. "A clean sweep," said Tercuman daily.
Erdogan said the time has come to solve the division of Cyprus, a key obstacle to Turkey's quest for EU membership. Turkey has maintained thousands of troops on Cyprus since invading the island in 1974.
"We want to solve this problem, which has not been addressed for years," Erdogan said.
Erdogan said he would call US President George W. Bush, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac to discuss Cyprus before he flies to Switzerland.
The US regards Turkey, NATO's sole Muslim member, as a model democracy in the turbulent Middle East. Erdogan has collaborated in the war against terrorism and has done nothing to shake Turkey's pro-Western image.
Sunday's victories could also encourage Erdogan to push for further reforms to bring Turkey closer to EU membership.
"Turkey once again voted for stability, justice and development," Erdogan said.
Erdogan also sought to assuage fears that his party might impose religious-oriented policies, by saying his party would follow the path of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of a secular Turkish republic.
The prime minister has steered clear of religion and focused on the nation's most pressing priorities -- fixing the economy and getting Turkey into the EU.
Erdogan's party made strong gains even in cities dominated by pro-secular voters, showing that the party was capitalizing on good governance of municipalities.
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