I have noted some time ago that there are two types of countries in the Middle East, the ones that require demonstrations in their Tahrir Squares to initiate change and the ones that can use the ballot box for the same purpose. Northern Cyprus belongs to the second group while Egypt has invented the Tahrir Square model. There is discontent both in Cairo and Nicosia. A cultural change is needed in both cases to tackle their problems directly. Egypt seems to have found a way, while Cyprus has a way to go yet. Does the Cyprus case show the limits of the ballot box as a transformational device? I do not think so.

Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf was hospitalized a couple days ago, delaying the swearing-in ceremony of the new government. "Let's go to Tahrir" mentality is still alive in Egypt. The revolutionary situation is still evolving. Another large demonstration has started again in Tahrir Square on July 8. This time it is the discontent against the pace of reforms. Discontent about the police, the pace of court cases against Mubarak and co., and also about the economy. Protestors continue protesting. They have a new device to show their discontent and are ready to use it at every occasion. If you do not like the looks of your general director today in the morning meeting, you can also issue a "Let's go to Tahrir" call within your ministry. Unruly, definitely. But good for Egypt.

What does this have in common with the feelings in northern Cyprus? Discontent. The Turkish Cypriots have their own, freely elected government. Just before the Annan Plan referendum, they learned to use the ballot box as a transformational device. They had their own "Yes, be Annam" campaign in their own Tahrir Square for the referendum. Overwhelmingly they said "yes" for the two ethnic entities on the island to be reunited under a United Cyprus Republic banner, which was to be a new state of affairs different from the current division between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. However, the political stalemate between the two ethnic entities on the island has not ended. European Union's mistake of accepting one of the ethnic entities as Republic of Cyprus for membership messed things up further. Turkish Cypriots themselves feel satisfied with their lives. But the investment ecosystem in the northern part of the island requires the long awaited political solution.

What could Turkish Cypriots learn from Egyptian protestors in Tahrir Square? Perseverance. Last week's ongoing demonstrations in Cairo have confirmed that there is indeed a Tahrir Square model for change. For those who seem to be afraid of the fact that "few voters have [the] Internet in Egypt," and that the Islamists will be in power shortly, the cultural revolution personified by the protestors is the answer. That is what Turkish Cypriots have to learn from their Egyptian comrades: Perseverance in finding a solution to the political stalemate in Cyprus. The stalemate that is still around despite the clear democratic wish of Turkish Cypriots to establish a new state of affairs. Perseverance this time also requires strengthening the already started state building activity in the northern part of the island. That is why Turkish Cypriots need an economic program to take structural measures. Perseverance in this case requires the Turkish Cypriots to take their fate totally in their hands. A few weeks ago, I saw that determination in the eyes of the Turkish Cypriots. That was before Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's historic visit to the island.

Egypt has found a democratic solution to its own problems. Now it is time for the Turkish Cypriots also. Let "Arab Spring" come to the Island. It is "Let's go to Tahrir" time in Nicosia.

This commentary was published on 23.07.2011 in Hürriyet Daily News.