NICOSIA, Mar 18 – Cyprus President Demetris Christofias said on Thursday that he will not seek re-election in 2013 if he fails to reunify the island in UN-brokered peace negotiations.
In a televised news conference to mark two years of his administration, Christofias said that if his key aim as president to solve the Cyprus problem is not achieved, he will not consider standing again.
"This will be my first and last term in office unless I succeed in solving the Cyprus problem," Christofias said.
He said if he fails to broker a deal with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat he would not even "think about" running at the end of his five-year term.
Christofias — the first president from the communist party AKEL — came to power in 2008 on a platform of reviving stalled peace talks and reaching out to the Turkish Cypriots.
Both Cypriot leaders say they are committed to reaching a settlement to end 36 years of division.
But since peace negotiations were launched under much international optimism in September 2008 there have been few signs of tangible progress 70 meetings down the road.
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