Power sharing top of Cyprus agenda

The Cypriot reunification talks will begin next week with addressing how to share power between Greek and Turkish islanders in a new republic.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash said today he and Greek Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides would open Monday’s meeting - the first in an accelerated process aimed at ending the island’s 27 year division - by assessing where the leaders differ.

‘‘Then, we’ll discuss the sides in a new republic that will be founded, the functions of the two equal sides,’’ Denktash said.

Greek Cypriots want the island reunified as a single state, in line with UN resolutions, while Denktash - backed by Turkey - has called for a looser arrangement linking two independent states.

Denktash tried to lower any hopes of a swift breakthrough.

‘‘The peoples (of Cyprus) are expectant, but everybody should know what can and can’t be done for a compromise,’’ he said. ‘‘Nobody should expect us to abolish our state.’’

The EU official in charge of bringing in new members expressed optimism about the talks.

‘‘We get the impression for the first time that there may be an agreement,’’ said Guenter Verheugen.

He aid EU would stick to its plans to wrap up membership talks with Cyprus by the end of the year.