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Cyprus peace talks set to begin Cyprus peace talks set to begin
(30 minutes later)
The new president of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, is to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for talks aimed at reunifying the divided island.The new president of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, is to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for talks aimed at reunifying the divided island.
It will be the first time the two men have met since Mr Christofias was elected president last month.It will be the first time the two men have met since Mr Christofias was elected president last month.
Both leaders are from the political left and have been optimistic about the chance to work towards a settlement.Both leaders are from the political left and have been optimistic about the chance to work towards a settlement.
Peace negotiations in Cyprus have been stalled since 2004, when Greek Cypriots rejected a UN peace plan.Peace negotiations in Cyprus have been stalled since 2004, when Greek Cypriots rejected a UN peace plan.
Turkish Cypriots accepted the plan.Turkish Cypriots accepted the plan.
On Friday, Mr Christofias and Mr Talat are due to meet in a UN buffer zone near the abandoned Nicosia airport, with the talks to be moderated by the UN's special representative to Cyprus, Michael Moller.On Friday, Mr Christofias and Mr Talat are due to meet in a UN buffer zone near the abandoned Nicosia airport, with the talks to be moderated by the UN's special representative to Cyprus, Michael Moller.
DifferencesDifferences
The question now is whether that goodwill can be translated into the elements of a solution, the BBC's Tabitha Morgan reports from Cyprus.The question now is whether that goodwill can be translated into the elements of a solution, the BBC's Tabitha Morgan reports from Cyprus.
Both leaders have promoted contact between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, but it is not clear yet how negotiations will proceed.Both leaders have promoted contact between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, but it is not clear yet how negotiations will proceed.
Mr Talat favours returning to the 2004 UN-backed plan - but because the plan was rejected by 75% of Greek Cypriot voters, Mr Christofias prefers discussions to build on an agreement reached in July 2006.Mr Talat favours returning to the 2004 UN-backed plan - but because the plan was rejected by 75% of Greek Cypriot voters, Mr Christofias prefers discussions to build on an agreement reached in July 2006.
This focused on individual confidence-building measures and practical areas where progress could be made.This focused on individual confidence-building measures and practical areas where progress could be made.
Before the talks, Mr Cristofias said he hoped for a deal to open a crossing point at Ledra street, a pedestrian thoroughfare in Nicosia that runs along the city's dividing line.Before the talks, Mr Cristofias said he hoped for a deal to open a crossing point at Ledra street, a pedestrian thoroughfare in Nicosia that runs along the city's dividing line.
The street has come to symbolise the partition of the island.The street has come to symbolise the partition of the island.
Our correspondent says that whatever route is decided, negotiations are likely to be long and complex, for - as Mr Christofias himself has said - this diplomatic initiative cannot afford to fail.Our correspondent says that whatever route is decided, negotiations are likely to be long and complex, for - as Mr Christofias himself has said - this diplomatic initiative cannot afford to fail.
The Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been divided since 1974, when Turkey sent troops into the north, after a coup by Greek Cypriots who wanted union with Greece.The Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been divided since 1974, when Turkey sent troops into the north, after a coup by Greek Cypriots who wanted union with Greece.
The island's partition has long stood as an obstacle to Turkey's bid to join the EU. The Greek Cypriot south, which joined the EU in 2004, hold veto rights over Turkey's accession.The island's partition has long stood as an obstacle to Turkey's bid to join the EU. The Greek Cypriot south, which joined the EU in 2004, hold veto rights over Turkey's accession.