The division of Cyprus - How it compares to Ireland

From the end of the First World War, Ireland was a divided island, the independent Republic of Ireland in the south and the British entity called Northern Ireland in the north. 

In thirty years of open conflict 3,600 people died because of violence in the forms of bombings, assassinations, and brutal murders as each side attempted to impose its will.

The Good Friday Agreement, sometimes called the Belfast Agreement, was reached in multi-party negotiations and signed on 10 April 1998. 

The agreement calls for the creation of a democratically elected Assembly, the creation of a North/South Ministerial Council, and the creation of a British-Irish Council and the British-Irish Governmental Conference. 

The agreement still holds on the Irish island despite isolated violent acts and frequent recriminations, often involving nationalistic flags and marches. 

Here on the island of Cyprus, another divided island, similar problems exist, and differences abound. 

But it is fair to say that credibility gestures, acts of kindness, sharing mutually important cultural events and festivals, demonstrating economic benefits of cooperation, and finding respectful language helped bring about the Good Friday Agreement. 

At this holiday season let us hope the Irish can point the way forward here on Cyprus.

Merry Christmas.

Editorial by Prof. Jim Vincent