Rival Cypriot leaders in key meeting for Cyprus peace drive

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

NICOSIA (AFP) — Rival Cypriot leaders are to hold a key meeting on Tuesday to decide if enough progress has been made on the ground to warrant the launch of a new peace initiative to end decades of division.

"This meeting is really important, because things have been difficult and we need to move up to the next stage," an EU diplomat told AFP.

"This is one of the most important meetings they have had because the three-month deadline since March has passed and we should be moving towards direct negotiations," the diplomat added.

On March 21, the two leaders reached a landmark agreement to enter fully-fledged peace talks after four years of virtual stalemate following the 2004 rejection by Greek Cypriots of a UN reunification blueprint.

President...