I thing that a resolution of the Cyprus reunification is closer than any other time before, because we now have the following positive conditions:
(a) A new democratically elected Leader in Turkey and Turkey was virtually given a date to start its negotiations with the EU.
(b) Cyprus has signed the accession agreement with the EU, agreement that can help all its legal citizens.
(c) The majority of the Turkish-Cypriots stated to thing and act as European Cypriots also.
(d) The set of measures announced by the government of Cyprus and the partial opening of the dividing line.
(e) Also the situation for a Cyprus solution at the present time has a different dynamic, that is related to the European Union. It is important that the solution guarantees the respect of Human Rights and basic freedoms for all the legal citizens of Cyprus.

Having all of the above I can now say that I am no longer pessimistic for the reunification of Cyprus. And that I will start to be optimistic when the Turkish Parliament adopts the reform package addressing the concerns of the European Union, and establish a civilian control over the military. And above all both sides learn from past mistakes as the Germans and the French did and realize that a peaceful, viable and functional solution can not deviate from the principles of the European Union and the Security Council resolutions on Cyprus.

I also hope that the tactical moves of the Turkish side that started with the partial opening of the dividing line, do not have as a goal, the promotion of a political solution of the Cyprus problem that will deviate from the principles of the European Union and the United nations resolutions on Cyprus.

Harry Theofanus.
Palm Harbor Fl. USA