Peace talks give new hope to divided Cyprus[fr][de] 

"This time we must succeed," Cyprus' newly-elected President Christofias said ahead of the meeting, adding that a new failure "would be devastating for the future of our people". 

He made clear that he wants "Cyprus to contribute to the EU instead of being a problem for the EU and the entire world". 

Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has reassured Christofias of the EU’s support in moving forward with reunification talks. "The EU will firmly stand behind a renewed process to resolve this issue," he said after meeting with the Cypriot President in Brussels last week (14 March), where he pointed out that "it’s important that everyone makes a real contribution to solve the Cyprus problem". 

Barroso said he was also hoping for Turkey to play a "constructive role" in the process since its membership bids depends on resolving the Cyprus question. 

Support for the new initiative also came from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, calling upon the international community "to seize the momentum and window of opportunity". 

Despite cautious optimism, Christofias however urged the international community not to expect too much from today’s meeting: "We can’t solve the Cyprus issue in a month," he said. "Give us some time, patience and tolerance." 

Nor do diplomats and analysts expect a major breakthrough. The main advance could stem from an offer from the Greek Cypriots to open a crossing point on Ledra Street, a blocked road splitting the capital Nicosia into Greek and Turkish sectors. It is one of five crossing points in the heart of Cyprus' capital, and its opening there is to be considered highly symbolic. 

Christofias said that it was up to Talat to decide whether and when to open: "Talat should tell us. I’m ready to do it tomorrow."

Moreover, Christofias stressed that he was also ready to discuss a bi-zone federation, on the basis of existing agreements and international and EU law. But he however dismissed any possibility of lifting a de facto economic embargo on the North, as called for by the EU. 

The most difficult question will indeed be the basis of negotiations. Christofias considers the starting point of talks to be the July 2006 UN-brokered agreement, which calls for a step-by step approach to peacebuilding. But Talat wants to start from a 2004 UN blueprint, which had been backed by the Turk community but rejected by Greek Cypriots in a referendum, causing a major deadlock in peace talks since 2004.

The last attempt between Talat and Christofias' predecessor, Tassos Papapdopoulos, ended in failure in September 2007.