New talks on reunification of Cyprus start today

Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders trying to negotiate an agreement to reunify the divided Mediterranean island must overcome substantial differences during two days of talks starting today.

UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said after his last meeting with the two leaders in July that he expected them to reach agreement by October.

But his special adviser Alexander Downer said after the leaders met last week in Nicosia that differences remained.

He refused to discuss the differences, but the two sides reportedly have not agreed on key issues, including what to do with private property lost during the war, territorial boundaries, details of a federal government and elections.

Cyprus was split into a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters with Greece.

The island joined the EU in 2004, but only the internationally-recognised south enjoys membership benefits.

Numerous UN-mediated at­tempts at reunification have failed, but Mr Ban has been pressing both sides to reach a deal.