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Cyprus rivals in 'fruitful' talks | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Rival leaders of the island of Cyprus have held "productive" talks aimed at reunifying the island after 34 years of division and stalemate. | |
Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and rival Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met at a compound in Nicosia. | Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and rival Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met at a compound in Nicosia. |
After the four-and-a-half hour talks, UN envoy Alexander Downer emphasised that there was still a long way to go. | |
"This is the very beginning of the process," said the former Australian foreign minister. | |
"There have been no particular timelines agreed but obviously both leaders are doing what they can to push the process at an appropriate speed," he added. | |
Although there is no deadline for the talks, Mr Talat has indicated that he hopes to reach an accord by the end of the year. | |
'Big issues' | |
One of the key issues that will be thrashed out is a possible power-sharing structure for a united Cyprus. | |
Both leaders agree in principle on a future federal structure but there is not yet a shared understanding on how power would be divided in a central government. | Both leaders agree in principle on a future federal structure but there is not yet a shared understanding on how power would be divided in a central government. |
"These are big issues and discussing something like governance and power-sharing for a constitution is a big question, inevitably it will take a bit of time," Mr Downer said. | |
Mr Talat expressed optimism as the talks opened, speaking of "a unique language of peace" shared by both negotiatiors. | |
However, neither Mr Christofias not Mr Talat made any immediate comment after the talks. | |
Security issues, property disputes and Turkey's military presence on the island remain key issues also to be resolved. | |
EU hopes | |
Analysts say the talks have a real chance of bringing the dispute - which threatens Turkey's EU membership hopes - to an end. | Analysts say the talks have a real chance of bringing the dispute - which threatens Turkey's EU membership hopes - to an end. |
Crumbling symbol of a divided isleCyprus explainedQ&A: Peace processYour views | |
The island has been divided since a Turkish invasion in 1974, triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup in Nicosia. | The island has been divided since a Turkish invasion in 1974, triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup in Nicosia. |
Turkey has 35,000 troops in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north. | Turkey has 35,000 troops in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north. |
Mr Christofias and Mr Talat - both seen as moderates - are expected to meet at least once a week after this second round of talks. | Mr Christofias and Mr Talat - both seen as moderates - are expected to meet at least once a week after this second round of talks. |
They have also agreed to set up a hotline so they can remain in constant telephone contact throughout the negotiations. | They have also agreed to set up a hotline so they can remain in constant telephone contact throughout the negotiations. |
However, the UN has warned that talks should not continue indefinitely without concrete progress being made. | However, the UN has warned that talks should not continue indefinitely without concrete progress being made. |
The last attempt at a negotiated solution - in 2004 - collapsed when Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of a UN settlement plan which was rejected by Greek Cypriot voters. | The last attempt at a negotiated solution - in 2004 - collapsed when Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of a UN settlement plan which was rejected by Greek Cypriot voters. |
As a result, Cyprus joined the European Union that year as a divided island with Turkish Cypriots denied the bloc's membership benefits. | As a result, Cyprus joined the European Union that year as a divided island with Turkish Cypriots denied the bloc's membership benefits. |
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