UN-hosted Cyprus talks resume in Swiss Alpine resort

A new round of UN-sponsored peace talks between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders has opened in a Swiss Alpine resort, aiming to reunify their Mediterranean island after a decades-long split.

UN Cyprus adviser Espen Barth Eide on Wednesday is hosting in Crans-Montana the island's Greek Cypriot president, Nicos Anastasiades, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, along with leading envoys from the European Union and so-called "guarantor" countries Britain, Greece and Turkey.

Officials are hoping for a breakthrough to reunify the island that was divided along ethnic lines in 1974 when Turkey sent in troops after supporters of union with Greece led a coup.

Turkey today has over 35,000 troops in Cyprus. Sticking points include security guarantees and hopes among Greek Cypriot leaders for the removal of those forces.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)