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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Cyprus sets date for peace talks | Cyprus sets date for peace talks |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The leaders of the divided island of Cyprus have agreed to launch reunification talks on 3 September, the United Nations has said. | The leaders of the divided island of Cyprus have agreed to launch reunification talks on 3 September, the United Nations has said. |
| The agreement came after discussions between the leaders of the rival Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. | The agreement came after discussions between the leaders of the rival Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. |
| Talks have been stalled since 2004 when Greek Cypriots rejected a UN peace plan which was backed by Turkish Cypriots. | Talks have been stalled since 2004 when Greek Cypriots rejected a UN peace plan which was backed by Turkish Cypriots. |
| The island has been divided for 34 years into a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north and the Greek Cypriot south. | The island has been divided for 34 years into a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north and the Greek Cypriot south. |
| The announcement came after Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met for two hours in the UN-controlled buffer zone which divides the island. | The announcement came after Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met for two hours in the UN-controlled buffer zone which divides the island. |
| Referendums | |
| "The aim of the fully-fledged negotiations is to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem, which will safeguard the interests of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots," said Taye-Brook Zerihoun, head of the UN mission on the island. | "The aim of the fully-fledged negotiations is to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem, which will safeguard the interests of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots," said Taye-Brook Zerihoun, head of the UN mission on the island. |
| He said any agreed solution would be voted on by both communities in two separate referendums. | He said any agreed solution would be voted on by both communities in two separate referendums. |
| Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops occupied its northern third, following a Greek Cypriot coup inspired by the military junta ruling Greece at the time. | |
| Representatives from both sides have been holding discussions in recent months to prepare for formal reunification talks. | |
| The opening of the symbolic crossing at Ledra Street in April - closed since violence flared between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities in 1964 - was seen as a major confidence-building measure ahead of the talks. | |
| The island's partition has long stood as an obstacle to Turkey's bid to join the EU. | |
| The Republic of Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, can still veto Turkey's accession. |