TALKS ON the reunification of Cyprus took a step forward yesterday when leaders of the Greek and Turkish communities agreed to meet on a weekly basis to advance the aim of establishing a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
After an hour-long private discussion of "misunderstandings" which have soured the atmosphere recently, President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat tackled the powers of the proposed federal government and the structure of the federal executive.
Their discussions were characterised as "productive" by UN envoy Alexander Downer. The leaders are set to meet again on Monday. Working groups and experts will augment their work.
Since two previous substantive negotiating sessions have achieved limited progress, the sides have come under strong pressure to meet frequently and move ahead rapidly.
Pressure was exerted by Mr Downer, following consultations in New York, Washington and Brussels, British minister for Europe Caroline Flint, and a delegation from the elders group formed by former South African president Nelson Mandela last year.
The elders delegation comprised South African Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu, former US president Jimmy Carter, and UN peacemaker Lakhdar Brahimi.
All the envoys have expressed the view that the ongoing talks constitute the best opportunity in decades of achieving a peaceful solution to the half-century old Cyprus problem.
Archbishop Tutu observed that the elders had come to Cyprus "at a propitious moment in the history of the island", Mr Brahimi said the Cypriots could not afford failure, while Mr Carter urged the leaders to compromise.
However, wide differences remain on the central issue of the nature and powers of the federation. Greek Cypriots call for a partnership between two communities, sovereignty vested in one state, an effective central government, withdrawal of Turkish troops and settlers and an end to intervention by external guarantors.
Turkish Cypriots, dominated by Turkey, seek a confederation of two equal states, each enjoying considerable sovereignty, the continued presence of Turkish troops and settlers and retention of Turkey's right to intervene. Mr Christofias is relying on a longstanding friendship with Mr Talat to produce results which have eluded previous negotiators.