Reuniting a divided Cyprus

A 50-year-old conflict between the Greek and Turkish populations of Cyprus may be headed for resolution. The two sides appear to have come to the welcome realization that their mutual prosperity depends on settling long-standing territorial and political differences. It would be nearly as impressive as the accord in Northern Ireland.

When Demetris Christophias was elected Greek Cypriot president in February, he immediately sent a figurative olive branch to his Turkish counterpart, Mehmet Ali Talat. The two presidents entered into formal talks this summer on reviving a 2006 U.N. plan for ending the island's division.

These zones reflect the barriers thrown up when Greek Cypriots attempted to unify their part of the island with Greece in 1974, and the Turkish army invaded to protect the Turkish community.

Turkish troops remain on Cyprus, but the current Turkish government has promised to remove them if a satisfactory settlement is reached, according to a recent report by the Brussels-based International Crisis Group.

If the two presidents are successful, it would be a major triumph for the island's residents and would improve Greek and Turkish security cooperation through NATO at a time of heightened concern for the region.

A peaceful accord would demonstrate that long-standing national and ethnic differences can be set aside for a common good.