Kosovo's independence weighs on Cyprus' elections

"Even though the first round of the presidential election is taking place in four days [Sunday, February 17] and the candidates are neck and neck, the attention of Greek Cypriots is fixed on Kosovo," writes the editorialist Lefteris Adinilis.

"Because election day is also the day that Kosovo is expected to declare independence. The principle theme of the elections is the reunification of the island: how can't we see in Kosovo's probable declaration of independence an imposing shadow?

Russia dropped a diplomatic bomb this week by making a parallel between the independence of Kosovo and the independence of Northern Cyprus. ... Russia is the only permanent member of the UN Security Council that is openly opposed to Kosovo's independence.

It will refuse to recognise it.

So, is the reunification of Cyprus, which seems so close, already dead?"