Cyprus talks and Ledra Street opens .... again

Michael Moller the United Nations permanent representative in Nicosia, Michael Moller, hosted a historic meeting in Nicosia on Friday between Demetris Christofias, the newly elected president of the EU and Eurozone member state of Cyprus and Mehmet Ali Talat, the leader of the Turkish community in the Turkish occupied northern part of the Island of Cyprus.

They agreed on a timeline for resuming talks and to open a pedestrian crossing on Ledra Street in Nicosia . Committees and working groups will prepare for talks that would begin in three months.

Hurriyet reports that kicking off the process off will be a meeting at 1300 GMT today ( Monday, March 24th) in the UN offices between Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat's Special Representative for EU and UN talks Ozdil Nami and Greek Cypriot Administration Commissioner Georgios Iacovou and will focus on establishing Working Groups and Technical Committees.

There are reports that retired but influential Turkish Cypriot hardliner Rauf Denktash told Talat this week to demand a "two state" solution for Cyprus in his showdown with Christofias.

British High Commissioner in Nicosia Peter Millett said ina written statement “This is an important first step towards negotiations, which we hope, will lead to the reunification of the island,it is a clear demonstration that the two leaders have the political will to tackle the issues and work for a solution.”

Don't hold your breath