The most important political office
is that of the private citizen.
~Louis Brandeis

Recent presidential elections in TRNC was expected to set an important date for the future of both the island and Turkey‘s accession process to the EU. The phase of developments in Cyprus as a whole, starting from the Guarantee Agreements of 1960 can be regarded as volatile for the clear reason that consistency rather means the situation will remain constant or it will move towards a certain direction. However in the island the future was always unclear and unfortunately it seems to be so in the present day. There is almost a consensus among the western opinion that Derviş Eroğlu as the president of TRNC will not be as constructive as the former president Mehmet Ali Talat in the negotiations and direct talks between two sides. This is partly because Eroğlu's political orientation as a representative of the right-wing National Unity Party (UBP). No doubt at all along with the good of the Turkish Cypriot people of TRNC, Turkey is also very much concerned about a future solution in the island as an essential factor in Turkey's long and laborious accession process to the EU. Problem on the island was the most important of the points which the EU always emphasized as an obstacle in Turkey's way to be a full member. On account of perceiving the concerns of European countries objectively about the results of the presidential elections, one might understand the image of Eroğlu as a nationalist party member created a negative image in people's minds about the integration of the island. Despite the fact that Eroğlu does not share all the ideas of Talat in a broad context, he is aware of the importance of the negotiations. He will be as committed as the former colleague of him for the sake of citizens of TRNC as well as for the sake of Turkey's accession process to the EU.

As an independent state TRNC went for presidential elections in 18 April 2010 which made Eroğlu the new president. To analyze the results of the elections first the proportion of the votes between two strong candidates should be concerned. Eroğlu won the election not by a great majority but on the contrary there is a slight difference in the percentage of votes. The results made everybody surprised in a manner. Regarding Eroğlu as a person who will not ever be positive in the peace process is I think a policy of attrition and it is likely to become an excuse for further rejections of a solution by the Greek Cypriots. So rather than the political orientation of Eroğlu, this hopeless attitude especially in the European media and intellectual community is likely to have a negative impact on Turkey's accession process as well as the future of the island.

It is essential to examine Eroğlu's former declarations. In fact his declarations are the first source of the western media to put the blame of any possible future scenarios of deadlock in the island to the TRNC. Eroğlu in his former speeches insisted on a solution of a confederation meaning that both Turkish and Greek soldiers will remain in the island and these states will continue to have their power to some extent and also there will be a state named TRNC. However this solution is not likely to have support neither in the EU nor in the UNSC. Nearly all the western states are in favor of a federal, bi-zonal, bi-communal state in Cyprus. It can not be denied that TRNC had taken certain steps in the last five years under the presidency of Talat. He has been welcomed by certain state agents and he had the right to attend the parliamentary assembly of CoE as a leader of a community. Also EU countries started to open up liaison offices in TRNC. These are remarkable developments especially considering the fact that for long years TRNC politicians did not have such an opportunity. In spite of these facts in the time of Talat, Eroğlu will hold the negotiations from where Talat left. Special advisor of UN Secretary General; Alexander Downer recently proposed the date as 26 May to start the negotiations and Eroğlu did approve. Eroğlu as the highest representative of his community should convince or at least should do anything to convince that it is the Greek Cypriots who consistently reject the solution. Also he has to emphasize Turkey's position with respect to the peace process deliberately.

Turkey closed its ports and airports to any kind of transportation from Greek Cypriot side. This attitude is argued to be contrary to the Customs Union which Turkey is a party of. However this decision was made in 27 February 1997, before this date Turkey's ports was open to Greek Cypriots. So this is another important problem that Turkey should resolve about Cyprus with respect to the EU process.

Despite the fact that the full membership of Greek Cypriots to the EU was a clear sign of further deadlock in the island, Turkish side should put its all efforts in order not to be blamed again like it happened in the case of Denktaş. Even if there are meaningful criticisms, sometimes putting all the blame to one person becomes a way of removing possible blames from oneself. First Denktaş, now Eroğlu became the target of the arguments which are likely to lead a really damaging outcome for the solution in the island. However they are elected representatives to a country even if it has not been recognized by the international community. No matter what the outcomes are, it is clear that they will have impacts on Turkish foreign policy objectives which are related directly or indirectly to Cyprus. One of the most favorable developments may be recognition for TRNC. Even if it does not seem to be possible in the present conjuncture, TRNC and Turkey should work for this. The only thing Mr.Eroğlu needs is trust and goodwill of his society, Turkey and European countries which are involved in the process to some extent. As the current Ambassador of Britain to Ankara, David Reddaway put the other day; Europe has concerns about Eroğlu's contribution to a positive peace process. Well, Europe always has concerns. The situation is not new, so neither the authorities of TRNC nor Eroğlu should make their ambition to solve the problem down. Turkey on the other hand, should not interpret the issue of Cyprus only a step for full membership to the EU, but also for the wellbeing of the people on the island who suffered from political interests of several parties for years. They deserve a remedy.