Electoral win in February 2008 by communist candidate Demetris Christofias cleared the way for an eventual reunification of Cyprus, a Mediterranean island split between a northern Turkish territory and a southern Greek state. There is, nonetheless, only one capital, Nicosia, which is shared by the two separate entities and is divided by a military wall.  Despite initial prospects, negotiations between Christofias and his Turkish counterpart Mehmet Ali Talat have been slower and more hesitating than expected.

Both presidents have met in a number of occasions in the last two years under the sponsorship of the United Nations to make steps towards reunification. Important issues at stake, such as the federal structure and the single citizenship and sovereignty of the future state have been decided upon. But discussions have come up against sensitive questions that have delayed a final agreement. Christofias and Ali Talat have been under strong criticism by their respective opposition parties particularly when dealing with land property and the issue of a final border drawing settlement.

In the meantime, a tacit deadline for a solution is coming to an end. Observers thought an agreement would only be possible as long as the two most predisposed leaders -Talat and Christofias- remained in office. However, Turkish nationalist and conservative Derviş Eroğlu (UBP, National Unity Party) is ahead of Ali Talat on the polls for presidential elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, due in April 14.

UBP is currently the party with more seats in the Northern Cyprus Parliament, and advocates for a separate and independent Turkish state. Nevertheless, candidate Derviş Eroğlu said that "Whoever becomes the president, he will continue negotiations aiming to reach an agreement".

Turkish settlement on the island dates back to XVI century, but the administrative division of the former British colony was established in July 1974, when the Turkish army from the continent invaded the island to prevent a new Greek military Junta from incorporating Cyprus to Greece by force. Conflict between the two countries broke out and intercommunal violence sparked off. Incidents left dead people in both sides and a remarkable amount of displaced population.

Further information:

• The Economist: A fillip for Talat?
• Turkish Weekly: Turkish, Greek Cypriot Parties Meet
• The Guardian: Cyprus's 'last chance'?
• Follow-up of the conflict at Nationalia