Cyprus leaders launch intensified peace talks

Nicosia: Rival leaders on the divided island of Cyprus launched a round of intensified talks Monday, aimed at paving the way for a potential peace deal this year.

President Dimitris Christofias, a Greek Cypriot, and breakaway Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat started six day-long sessions, hoping to overcome obstacles that hindered progress during 60 meetings over the past 16 months.

The talks will be held January 11-13 and January 25-27.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece. The island joined the European Union in 2004, but only Greek Cypriots enjoy the benefits.

Real progress would restore the talks' credibility and rekindle hope among jaded Cypriots that their leaders can tackle a decades-old dispute that is hindering Turkey's EU membership bid and harming EU-Nato cooperation. "It is imperative that agreement is reached on a range of matters by the end of the month," Nicosia University International Law professor Tim Potier said.

"Warm words or little more than that, by the end of the month, would suggest that the process is likely to end in failure. The leaders of the two communities have to lead the nation, otherwise others, with alternative ambitions, will lead it for them."

Talks are focusing on power-sharing under a future federal structure, the economy and EU matters.

But they appeared to be on shaky ground even before they started.

New Turkish Cypriot proposals leaked last week reportedly include separate rights to sign international agreements and control of the Mediterranean island's air space.

Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou on Sunday called the proposals "unacceptable" and warned they could not constitute the basis for negotiations.