"A window of opportunity for a resolution to the Cyprus problem is opening once again. Will the Greek and Turkish Cypriot peoples of the divided east Mediterranean island be smart enough finally to grasp this opportunity and bring about an end to the almost half-century-long intercommunal power-sharing problem? Past experience unfortunately does not allow much room for optimism," the articel by Yusuf Kanli published by Hurriyet reads.
"Obviously, Turkish Cypriots would not agree to a settlement bringing back pre-Turkish intervention conditions – as most Greek Cypriots still hope for. However, there could be an arrangement allowing co-existence of the two peoples on the island as two equal peoples sharing the same homeland and whose relationship cannot be defined with the problematic minority and majority terminologies. Such an arrangement was at the corner in 2004 when a U.N.-sponsored settlement plan was put to separate referendums on the island. Turkish Cypriots accepted it. Greek Cypriots, however, voted to kill it, as irrespective of the outcome a week after the vote they were to enter the European Union."
"Now, some things have changed on Cyprus. The first round of the presidential vote showed that pro-settlement (and pro-bailout) Nikos Anastasiades might score a victory in Feb. 24’s second round of voting against the other contender, socialist Stavros Malas. Anastasiades is supported by a coalition of diehard nationalists opposed to a compromise settlement. Can he walk to a compromise with such a crutch? Difficult," the author writes.
"Despite the not-so-promising electoral crutch he has, Anastasiades, if elected, might grasp the prospects offered by a painful compromise and finally Turkish Cypriots and Turkey might find a Greek Cypriot negotiator willing to do business rather than trying to buy time pretending to be negotiating."
"Of course to achieve such a breakthrough there will be a need for EU leaders to prod Anastasiades and help Greek Cypriots understand merits of a compromise; a bitter one that will bring prosperity for all," the author concludes.
