After 40 years of separation, the election of a moderate to lead the Turkish Cypriots gives cause for optimismWhen Mustafa Akinci took to the podium for his first speech as the new leader of the Turkish Cypriots waving an olive branch, it became obvious that his victory was a clear message of reconciliation from the northern part of Cyprus. With negotiations with Greek Cypriots restarting soon, the change in Turkish Cypriot leadership raises the question one more time: can the Cyprus problem be resolved?The Republic of Cyprus became independent as a state of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in 1960. But after the failure of the two sides to cooperate and the conflict that culminated in the war of 1974, the island was divided into two zones: in the south the Republic of Cyprus, now exclusively led by Greek Cypriots, and in the north the self-declared Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus, which remains unrecognised and relies on the military, economic and political support of Turkey. Over the years, the two communities have unsuccessfully tried to reunify based on a federation. Related: Mustafa Akinci wins northern Cyprus presidential election Related: The Guardian view on the prospects for a Cyprus settlement | Editorial Continue reading...
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