There is a change in Cyprus. The direct negotiations between the two presidents of the two communities Dimitris Christofias and Mehmed Ali Talat bring hope. “Ever since the beginning we knew that the negotiations would be hard but we expected a faster progress,” admitted the Cyprian president, who was the initiator of the direct negotiations. People openly agree that a compromise must be made. The hard thing is to decide who, what and how much to compromise.

On the streets of Nicosia, the last separated capital in the world, difference can be seen. Of course, there are still UN’s military patrols but somehow their presence is more discrete and inappropriate. The authorities from both sides agreed to open the border station at the historic street Ledra.

Through this street people can pass relatively easy from one side to the other but they still need a “visa” in order to enter the Turkish part. Of course, the visa is easily issued right away. Turkish Cypriot journalists can easily enter the presidential palace of Dimitris Christofias without needing a special accreditation. It is possible for a new employee to notice them and to ask what they are doing there but very fast a more experienced journalist can be found, who will explain that they have to right to be there and take photos.

The Cyprian parliament still keeps 24 parliament member seats and one deputy chairman seat for the Turkish Cypriots. When they will return, no one knows. In case this happens, this will be the solution of one of the most complicated political cases, which the 20^th century left us with.