Cyprus reunification talks begin

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders began an intensive round of negotiations today in a bid to overcome the division of their island, a problem that may bedevil the enlargement of the European Union.

President Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash met in the UN. buffer zone that splits the Mediterranean island.

Asked what would be discussed first, Denktash said: ‘‘That’s what we’re going to talk about.’’

Cyprus has been split into a Greek Cypriot controlled south and a Turkish-occupied north since Turkey invaded in 1974 after a coup by supporters of union with Greece.

A breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is recognised only by Turkey which maintains 35,000 troops there.

Successive rounds of UN chaired negotiations have failed to bridge the gaps between the two sides, but Cyprus’ imminent accession to the European Union, expected in 2003, has concentrated minds.

Last Friday, Clerides, 82, and Denktash, 77, to start meeting three times a week Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.