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| Cyprus rivals begin peace talks | Cyprus rivals begin peace talks |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Rival leaders of the divided island of Cyprus are meeting to launch negotiations aimed at reunifying the island after 34 years of division. | Rival leaders of the divided island of Cyprus are meeting to launch negotiations aimed at reunifying the island after 34 years of division. |
| 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. |
| Analysts say the talks have a real chance of resolving the dispute, which threatens Turkey's EU membership hopes. | Analysts say the talks have a real chance of resolving the dispute, which threatens Turkey's EU membership hopes. |
| 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. |
| 'Historic day' | 'Historic day' |
| "We must, at long last, put an end to the suffering of our people and reunite our country," Mr Christofias told reporters as he headed for the meeting, held in an abandoned airport compound on the outskirts of the divided capital. | "We must, at long last, put an end to the suffering of our people and reunite our country," Mr Christofias told reporters as he headed for the meeting, held in an abandoned airport compound on the outskirts of the divided capital. |
| Cyprus explainedQ&A: Peace process A chief aide to Mr Talat, Ozdil Nami, said: "This is an historic day, a beautiful day. Both leaders will be sending a message of hope to their people, to the world, that they are willing to negotiate". | Cyprus explainedQ&A: Peace process A chief aide to Mr Talat, Ozdil Nami, said: "This is an historic day, a beautiful day. Both leaders will be sending a message of hope to their people, to the world, that they are willing to negotiate". |
| 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. |
| Challenges ahead | Challenges ahead |
| The UN secretary general's special envoy to the talks, former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, said "significant progress" had been made to create a solid foundation for negotiations. | The UN secretary general's special envoy to the talks, former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, said "significant progress" had been made to create a solid foundation for negotiations. |
| Mr Christofias and Mr Talat - both seen as moderates - have met five times so far this year. | Mr Christofias and Mr Talat - both seen as moderates - have met five times so far this year. |
| They will continue to meet at least once a week, though the UN has warned that talks should not continue indefinitely without concrete progress being made. | They will continue to meet at least once a week, though the UN has warned that talks should not continue indefinitely without concrete progress being made. |
| Mr Downer said of the process: "There have been difficult moments over the past months and there will likely be further difficulties and challenges ahead. | Mr Downer said of the process: "There have been difficult moments over the past months and there will likely be further difficulties and challenges ahead. |
| "At the same time, the Cyprus problem is not insurmountable and the negotiations which begin today can and must have a successful outcome." | "At the same time, the Cyprus problem is not insurmountable and the negotiations which begin today can and must have a successful outcome." |
| The meeting is scheduled to address matters of procedure, with negotiations on more substantive - and difficult - issues due to begin on 11 September. | The meeting is scheduled to address matters of procedure, with negotiations on more substantive - and difficult - issues due to begin on 11 September. |
| Are you in Cyprus? What are your expectation of the meeting? Send us your comments using the form below. | |