In July 2001 I puplished a book about the TRNC in Germany. In that book I made a proposal what could and should happen to overcome the tension between both, Greek and Turkish Cypriots and find a just solution. First I have to admit that the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus still seems to be impossible, but some of my proposals have already come true. Therefore I would say: the Turkish Cypriots are on a good way to independence. The borders are open, Greeks and Turks mingle and make business together. They work together in the field of tourism. Guests from England or Germany today can fly to Larnaca and easily travel to the TRNC. Turkish Cypriots can go to the south for shopping and working. A lot of convidence has been built up since the opening of the border gates in 2003. But deep inside the Greek Cypriot society old structures stirred up again when the Annan plan was on the agenda. While the majority of the Turkish Cypriot population accepted that a solution like the one proposed in Mr Annan’s plan could be a solution, it seems the Greek Cypriots headed by their President, Mr Papadopoulos, did not give up hope that one day Cyprus could be governed by Greek Cypriots solely.

When on 20 February 2005 the citizens of the TRNC elected a new parliament, governments all over Europe joined in the voice of congratulations. First of all they were pleased to see that the Turkish Cypriots still are patient to wait for real improvements in the fields of trade and political equality. And secondly they were pleased, because the elections once again have proven that the TRNC has democratic structures. That sounds as a simple realization, but until recently many diplomats, politicians and journalists outside the TRNC and Turkey believed the odd sound of "Denktaţ regime”, “pseudo state” and so on. In those days the world recognizes that if Papadopoulos comments the general elections in the TRNC (“Illegal elections in illegal state”) it is nothing but propaganda. The Greek Cypriot administration lost its position within Europe, the USA and the UNO. That, too, is why the Turkish Cypriots are on the right way to independence.

Papadopoulos says that he will not make any proposal to change the Annan Plan, but it was he himself who demanded changes before advising his people to vote "no" in the referendum. He now says UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was biased and prefered the Turkish Cypriot stance. The Greek Cypriot administration critizised the USA when it sent a economy delegation to the TRNC – directly via Ercan airport. The financial aid for North Cyprus was accepted in the European Parliament by all members despite those from South Cyprus. Slowly but hopefully quickly enough those responsible for the Greek Cypriot future will recognize that they are on the wrong way. And when a couple of days ago I visited the TRNC stand at Munich Tourism Fair, I was told that the manager of the Greek Cypriot stand visited the Turkish Cypriot one and made some compliments about it.