NOW is the time to solve the Cyprus problem

It's now or never (?)

With the election of the new Greek government and in particular under the guidance of the new Prime Minister, and at the same time Foreign Minister George A. Papandreou, a new window of opportunity has opened in the Greco-Turkish relations, with the Cyprus problem being in the heart of any solution.

Once in a lifetime we see in international relations the stars to be perfectly aligned, opening up the possibility for chronic problems to be solved. I believe that this is one of these times and without any further due I will try to explain what I exactly mean.

To begin with, after a considerable long period, we have both in Greece and Turkey two reformist governments, both firmly dedicated at moving forward for a common European future, away from the disputes of the past.

Furthermore, in Cyprus we have for the first time in power two progressive governments under Mr. Talat, representing the Turkish-Cypriot community, and President Christofias, who both historically have worked for the unification of the island.

Direct negotiations have been underway between the two parties in Cyprus for several months and progress has been achieved in several negotiation chapters, even though sticky points did emerge, as it was anticipated.

Now, with the election of the new Greek government and the EU progress evaluation of Turkey just around the corner a new impetus for a concrete, just, and viable solution firstly to the Cyprus problem and secondly to the full range of Greek-Turkish disputes is visible on the horizon.

Nevertheless, this window of opportunity will not last for ever and I believe it is NOW the time to move forward and intensify the efforts to reach a common solution to the Cyprus problem. If not, I am afraid we will inherit this problem, yet for another time, to our children, waiting for at least a new generation to pass by before the stars are aligned again.

As the newly elected Greek prime minister  George A. Papandreou stated during his first visit to Turkey: ‘We have to liberate Cyprus from attachments to the motherlands, from occupation troops, from divisions and walls.’

«Θέλουμε μια ευρωπαϊκή λύση για μια ενιαία, επανενωμένη Κύπρο. Πρέπει να απελευθερώσουμε την Κύπρο από εξαρτήσεις από τις μητέρες πατρίδες, από στρατεύματα κατοχής, από διαιρέσεις και τείχη».