The North Cyprus Property Boom and Reunification - The Role of Socialism

Prior to the election of Dimitris Christofias in February of this year and Mehmet Ali Talat in 2005, the partitioned island of Cyprus was governed and influenced by isolationism, nationalism and unilateralism; former presidents Rauf Denktash and Tassos Papadopoulos, both long standing presidents of the Republic of Cyprus and North Cyprus respectively, advocated strong political wills to strengthen and cement the partition that had existed in the prime of their political careers and had been handed into their guardianship in their twighlight years.

Under the watch of the former presidents, a union of the two parties was very unlikely indeed; both campaigned for continued isolation when it came to the 2004 Annan Plan Referendum, and only the harsh effects of trade sanctions imposed by the E.U on the TRNC swayed Turkish Cypriots, who favour safety and security over ideology and feuds.

But all signs look good now that the two leaders are committed socialists. and it seems that it is socialism that is going to save the island of Cyprus; where Papadopoulos famously stated before the referendum that he "would not delivery a community", when he had inherited only a nation, Christofias wishes only to delivery just that, and only that.

And Talat joins him in that pursuit. So it is a commitment to socialism and community that will win the war over the Cyprus problem, and reunification is only possible because of it; since 1974, and then when the Cyprus was redefined in 1983 by the TRNC declaring its independence, the right-wing has time and again avoided the reunification issue, and has failed on all counts to solve the dispute.

Whilst socialism is not necessarily the dominant ideology in the E.U - Christofias became the first recognised Leninist-Marxist in the organisation when he took presidency this year - the commitment to brotherhood and cooperation will only please the heads of a community that believes in 'unity in diversity'; the E.U, with its commitment to collective security, have welcomed the inclusion of Christofias in their ranks.

That the Cyprus problem is likely to be solved by two socialists means good press for a waning left-wing contingent within Europe, and it is there leadership that will make the most of the tourist boom, the economic boom, and the North Cyprus property boom; their cooperation can open up the divided partition lines and bring prosperity to the island.

It will be a welcome change, and it will be a change that affects everyone on the island, including those who seek to profit from the now burgeoning boom of property in North Cyprus; a boom that is showing potential growth of a massive 200% over the next two years, and the prevalence of prices rising from £2,000 per donum - or £6,000 per acre - to more than £30,000 per donum or £90,000 per acre, from 2000 to 2008.

Economy and Socialism, it seems then, are perfectly good bed fellows, and North Cyprus property is ready to become the best property market in the world.