He pledged to “open a new era” for the island, divided since Turkey occupied the north in 1974. He said he would intensify efforts to reach a “just, viable and functional solution” based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation which would reunite Greek and Turkish Cypriots now living in a breakaway entity recognised only by Turkey.

But he made it clear  that he would not accept Turkish demands for a permanent military presence on the island and a loose confederation of two virtually independent states when he said any solution would have to “restore the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the republic of Cyprus and will exclude any rights for military ntervention in the internal affairs of our country.”

Reiterating the demand of outgoing President Tassos Papadopoulos, who was seen by Turkey and the West as a hardline nationalist, Christofias said that any solution would have to “reunite the territory, the people, the institutions and the economy of our country.”

He said the federation “must have a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship.”
Christofias’ words make it clear that the 2004 UN plan, rejected by Greek Cypriots but accepted by Turkish Cypriots, could not be the basis of fresh negotiations, contradicting statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. The two men are expected to meet soon and discuss the resumption of talks on a final settlement as well as confidence building measures, including the opening of a major thoroughfare which runs between the two halves of the world’s last divided capital.

In a bid to assure the European Union (EU) that he is not a Euro-skeptic, Christofias appointed Marcos Kyprianou, the EU health commissioner as foreign minister. Mr Kyprianou, the son of former President Spiros Kyprianou, will have to resign this post to take up the job.