Cyprus-Forum.com

[Omer Seyhan]

It's not hard to see why more and more Cypriots are turning up the volume on Cypriot unity – driving the issue up the political agenda.

The UBP leader Dervis Eroglu edged on by Turkey is sitting on the negotiating table with Dimitris Hristofyas. Hristofyas and Talat already reached agreement over 300 pages of issues on far-reaching reforms of that structure, the withdrawal of troops and once unthinkable advances in civil rights and equality. Now Turkey is pushing Eroglu to do the same.... the partioners are isolated.

But to many of Cypriot unity's natural supporters, the central goal of Cypriot unionism – the end of Turkey's occupation in the north and the reunification of Cyprus – looks as far away as ever. That fuels pessimism.

As many point out, the opening of the check points which Denktash was forced to do is mere "accommodation, not a settlement" and "the underlying cause of conflict persists".

Meanwhile, the economic austerity measures of the south's once booming economy and the cuts imposed by the south Nicosia government, as well as Greece's economic crisis and the success of Flemish nationalists in Belgium have been seized on by separatists and others to deride the prospect of any move towards Cypriot unity and the EU.

Why, they ask, would northerners now want to link up with the EU ? The idea is a nonsense. The north of Cyprus remains a basket case where hope of change under the current status quo is very distant indeed.

The economic case for reunification and true Cypriot independence is in fact stronger than ever. Dependence and control by Turkey have been disastrous for the Northern Cypriot economy, where living standards are low. As Turkey's economy picks up pace, Turkish Cypriots will fall behind Turkey too.

Only independence can allow trade diversification and economic development impossible under Turkey's occupation. Cyprus is more than wealthy enough to fund a national health service, if only its politicians could be convinced to make their friends pay tax. And any process leading to unity would clearly require far-reaching social and economic reform on both sides of the ceasefire line.

The dysfunctionality of that externally imposed partition for a modern economy, and the demographic trend towards a pro-Cypriot unionist majority in the north amongst the native Turkish Cypriots makes the democratic case for independence and unity.

The need for reconciliation between Greek and Turkish speaking Cypriots and the need to persuade all Cypriots that Cypriot unity is in their own economic and social interest is a must. Our differences which opponents of unity point out are not our weakness but part of who we are as a people.

Cypriot unity will no doubt have a different meaning in a 21st-century global economy. Cypriot reunification is not only sensible, it is inevitable, the crucial question is how long more will it take for more people (the rest of Cyprus and the diaspora) to realise it....?

[humanist]

Omer ..... you don't have to convince me of this ..... try telling the other 35,000 TC's wanting their own country on the Isle of Love

[Omer Seyhan]

Omer ..... you don't have to convince me of this ..... try telling the other 35,000 TC's wanting their own country on the Isle of Love

I am telling them....

[humanist]

are they listening?

[Omer Seyhan]

I hope so...

[repulsewarrior]

they will listen if the agenda of the Ignorant is clouded by this one which up to now has been hidden because reasonable people do not normally make the effort in pressing their desires.

[miltiades]

I hope so...

With more and more true Cyprus coming to the forefront and embracing the true Cypriot identity we shall get there .Omer you are my brother , my compatriot my equal in every sense of the word , you are not part of a minority anymore that I is a part of the majority . We are Cypriots , just as Deniz , Umit , Cem , the Cypriot ( where is he ) Humanist and countless others.

[YFred]

Omer ..... you don't have to convince me of this ..... try telling the other 35,000 TC's wanting their own country on the Isle of Love

You continue with that mentality and we'll need a 20 ft bloody wall built never mind a separate country.