Turkish Cypriot government wins confidence vote

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu's government garnered 26 votes in the 50-seat Turkish Cypriot parliament against 23 no votes cast by the four other parties in the house.

"It is now time to get down to work. We will work for the happiness and welfare of our people," AFP quoted Eroglu as saying after the vote.

The return of Eroglu's National Unity Party, or UBP, to power in the April 18 polls has raised concerns over the future of the reunification negotiations in the divided island although pro-unity Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat remains the chief negotiator.

Following his election victory, Eroglu backed the continuation of the talks, but said reunification should be based on "two states" -- a framework vehemently opposed by the Greek Cypriots.

The statement earned him a warning from Ankara that the core principles of the negotiations, which aim at a bi-zonal federation, should not be changed.