Cyprus Ready for New Relationship with Turkey - President

Newly elected Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiades has declared that his country is ready for a new era in its relationship with Turkey.

"We are ready for a new relationship with Turkey in the new era," Anastasiades said during a speech at Parliament in Nicosia.

"I assure our Turkish Cypriot compatriots that my intention is to work to solve the Cyprus problem as soon as possible," he also said.

The Cypriot President added that his country supports Turkey's EU accession bid.

Anastasiades, who was elected last week, took oath of office at an official ceremony on Thursday.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and seized its northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup aimed at uniting the island and Greece.